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Binance to Update Perpetual Contract Funding Rate Algorithm on September 18, 2025, to Address Market Manipulation

Executive Summary Binance announced an algorithm update for its perpetual contract funding rates, effective September 18, 2025, aiming to prevent market manipulation by highly volatile tokens, a move expected to stabilize derivatives trading for specific assets. The Event in Detail Binance, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, is scheduled to implement a substantial update to its perpetual contract funding rate algorithm on September 18, 2025, at 08:01 UTC. This strategic modification is designed to curb the manipulation tactics employed by certain high-control tokens that exploit the funding rate mechanism. The core of the update introduces a "frequency normalization factor" intended to dynamically adjust the funding rate settlement frequency and cap daily funding rates, for example, from 12% to 6% within a 24-hour period. This change directly addresses the observed "weaponization" of funding rates, notably with tokens such as ALPACA, TRB, and MYX, which have historically led to extreme losses for retail traders. The exchange views this as a strategic response to mitigate systematic risks and cultivate a more stable derivatives market, particularly for high-risk, volatile assets. Financial Mechanics and Algorithm Changes The update revises the funding rate formula and mark price calculations. Prior to the update, the Funding Rate (F) was calculated as Average Premium Index (P) + clamp (interest rate per funding interval - Premium Index (P), 0.05%, -0.05%). The interest rate was typically fixed at 0.03% daily, translating to 0.01% for an 8-hour funding interval or 0.00125% for a 1-hour interval, with exceptions for BNBUSDT and ETHBTC perpetual contracts which had a 0% interest rate. Post-update, effective from September 18, 2025, at 08:01 UTC, the new formula for the Funding Rate (F) will be [Average Premium Index (P) + clamp (interest rate - Premium Index (P), 0.05%, -0.05%)] / (8/N). In this revised formula, the interest rate is set at 0.01% (again, 0% for BNBUSDT and ETHBTC), and N represents the funding interval. For instance, a perpetual contract like PUMPUSDT with a 4-hour funding interval will calculate its funding rate as [Average Premium Index (P) + clamp (0.01% - Premium Index (P), 0.05%, -0.05%)] / 2. Furthermore, Binance Futures will adjust its mark price calculations by updating the basis of Price 2 from a 1-minute basis to a 30-second basis. The Moving Average (30 Seconds Basis) will be computed as the average of 30 data points over a 30-second period, with calculations performed every second by averaging bid and ask prices and then subtracting the Price Index. The funding rate settlement frequency itself will also be subject to dynamic adjustments, completing within approximately 15 minutes if the funding rate reaches its predefined cap or floor. For example, if the USDⓈ-M BTCUSDT perpetual contract's funding rate, which has a cap/floor of +0.3% / -0.3% and a default 8-hour settlement frequency, reaches -0.3% at 08:00 UTC, the subsequent settlement frequency will adjust to one hour, commencing at 09:00 UTC. Business Strategy and Market Positioning Binance's decision to update its funding rate algorithm reflects a proactive business strategy aimed at enhancing market integrity and protecting its user base from manipulative practices. This initiative aligns with the exchange's ongoing efforts, such as Binance Alpha 2.0 and its token onboarding protocols, which incorporate weighted liquidity risk scoring, adaptive red-flag thresholds, and real-time monitoring to detect artificial volume and manipulation, particularly in high-risk memecoin listings. The Binance research team stated, "This research is a major step toward market integrity. We aim to empower users with data-driven tools that expose hidden risks and promote smarter investing." This move positions Binance as an exchange committed to fostering a more stable and fairer trading environment, potentially attracting broader institutional participation by mitigating systemic risks associated with highly volatile assets. While some exchanges operate without funding caps, allowing pure market-driven fees that can become exorbitant, Binance's approach seeks to balance market efficiency with essential user protection. Other platforms, such as Margex, also emphasize anti-manipulation systems like MP Shield to ensure fair pricing, indicating a broader industry trend towards robust market safeguards. Broader Market Implications This algorithmic update is expected to have several significant implications for the broader cryptocurrency derivatives market. Primarily, it will likely reduce the profitability of "funding rate weaponization" strategies, thereby diminishing the incentive for market manipulators to exploit these mechanisms. The implementation of capped daily funding rates and dynamic settlement frequency adjustments is anticipated to significantly reduce extreme liquidation risks and associated costs for retail investors, fostering a more equitable trading environment. This could lead to more stable and less manipulative price action, especially for highly volatile assets, contributing to more predictable market behavior. Furthermore, Binance's action may set a precedent for other derivatives exchanges, potentially prompting them to review and revise their own funding rate mechanisms to align with best practices for market integrity. For the wider Web3 ecosystem, discouraging manipulative practices can contribute to healthier growth and enhance trust in digital asset markets. While the immediate impact might be disruptive for some high-frequency traders who profited from extreme volatility, the long-term outlook is cautiously positive, as it aims to stabilize markets, reduce extreme liquidation events, and foster fairer trading conditions. The emergence of protocols like Rho Protocol, which offers tools for hedging funding rate risk and managing volatility, underscores the market's demand for solutions that address these very issues, making Binance's internal update a significant step in that direction.