In the contract points system, high-leverage trading can amplify your trading volume, but it also increases your position risk. For users who prefer a more conservative approach, figuring out how to steadily accumulate points while keeping risk exposure under control requires a systematic strategy.
This guide focuses on the Gate contract points mechanism and offers a practical, low-risk points management strategy tailored for low-leverage holders. It covers detailed optimization across three main channels: balance points, trading points, and referral points.
Contract Points: Understanding the Three Main Sources
Contract points are Gate’s system for measuring user activity in contract trading. The points you earn daily through contract trading, account balances, and referral activities determine your eligibility for airdrop rewards and redemption privileges.
Points are calculated using a 15-day rolling window: your total points = the sum of daily points earned over the past 15 days − points already used. Any points not used within 15 days will automatically expire.
Balance Points (The Most Stable Source)
Every day, the system calculates the USDT + BTC balance in your contract account, as well as the USDx balance in your TradFi account. After converting to USD, points are awarded in tiers:
| Balance Range (USD) | Daily Points |
|---|---|
| $100 ≤ Balance < $1,000 | 1 |
| $1,000 ≤ Balance < $10,000 | 2 |
| $10,000 ≤ Balance < $100,000 | 3 |
| $100,000 ≤ Balance < $999,999,999 | 4 |
Key point: Balance points are independent of trading direction. Even if you don’t make any trades, as long as your account assets meet the threshold, you’ll automatically receive points each day.
Trading Points (Increase with Trading Volume)
For every 400 USDT in contract trading volume (open + close positions), you earn 1 point. Each time your trading volume doubles, your points increase by 1. The tiers are as follows:
| Trading Volume (USDT) | Daily Points |
|---|---|
| 400 | 1 |
| 800 | 2 |
| 1,600 | 3 |
| 3,200 | 4 |
| 6,400 | 5 |
| … | … |
Formula: When your trading volume reaches 400 × 2^(n-1) USDT, you earn n points. There is no daily cap on trading points, but low-risk strategies recommend keeping within certain ranges (see below).
Note: For TradFi products, only 20% of the trading volume counts as valid contract trading volume. For example, trading 10,000 USDx counts as 2,000 USDT.
Referral Points (Zero-Cost Bonus)
For each new user you successfully invite to participate, you earn 1 point, up to a maximum of 3 points per day.
A successful referral is defined as an invited user who accumulates at least 2 points (i.e., they have engaged in qualifying activities).
Low-Risk Points Strategy: Three Steps for Low-Leverage Holders
The following strategy assumes leverage of ≤5x and daily trading volume of ≤3,200 USDT, offering controlled risk suitable for most users.
Step 1: Target the Optimal Balance Range for Easy Balance Points
Keep your contract account balance (USDT + BTC) between $10,000 and $100,000 to earn a steady 3 points daily. If you have sufficient funds, increase your balance to $100,000 to receive 4 points per day.
Practical tip: The snapshot is taken daily at 04:00 (UTC). Make sure your balance is within the target range at that time to avoid downgrading due to price fluctuations.
This approach carries zero risk (no open positions involved) and serves as the foundation for points accumulation.
Step 2: Small-Scale Cycle Trading to Efficiently Earn Trading Points
Use low leverage (2‑3x) to execute a full open + close cycle on major trading pairs (such as BTC/USDT or ETH/USDT). Aim for a daily trading volume between 400 and 3,200 USDT, which corresponds to earning 1‑4 trading points per day.
Example:
- Use 500 USDT as margin, open a 1,000 USDT notional position with 2x leverage, then close it to generate 2,000 USDT in trading volume (1,000 open + 1,000 close) = 3 points (since 1,600 USDT qualifies for 3 points).
Note: Both opening and closing positions count toward trading volume. You can double your volume with a single round-trip. There’s no need for high-frequency trading—just one round-trip per day is enough.
Risk control: Low leverage plus small margin keeps the liquidation price far from the current market price. Even if your market direction is wrong, potential losses are limited.
Step 3: Refer Qualified New Users for an Extra 1‑3 Points Daily
Invite friends who are interested in contracts, or share your referral link through compliant channels. You’ll earn 1 point for each successful referral, up to 3 points per day.
Key requirement: The referred user needs to accumulate at least 2 points (for example, by completing 800 USDT in trading volume or holding a $100 balance for two days). This is fairly easy—just provide a little guidance.
Points Usage and Lifecycle Management: Avoid Expiry Waste
Since points expire after 15 days, you need a "earn‑redeem" cycle.
- Minimum redemption threshold: Position experience vouchers require a total of 40 points and at least 20 available points. Once your points balance exceeds 40, redeem 20 points for a voucher right away.
- Best timing: After receiving an experience voucher, you can use it in contracts with no risk (profits are yours to keep). This effectively converts points into real value.
- Regular checks: Review the "expiring points" column in your "daily points details" each week and use points that are about to expire.
A healthy rhythm:
Earn 3 (balance) + 2 (trading) + 1 (referral) = 6 points per day. In 5‑7 days, you’ll reach the 40-point threshold and can redeem an experience voucher. After using 20 points, your remaining points continue to roll over, creating a sustainable cycle.
Advanced Note: Funding Rate Arbitrage Hedging (For Experienced Users)
If you’re already proficient with perpetual contracts, you can try building hedged long and short positions with low leverage to earn neutral returns from funding rate differences—while also earning double trading points.
Basic approach: In two sub-accounts (or across different contract maturities in the same account), open equal-sized long and short positions on the same asset, using leverage of ≤5x. This hedges directional risk, so your P&L mainly comes from funding rate differences. Both opening and closing trades count toward points.
This strategy requires precise execution, and current market funding rate spreads are limited. Beginners should focus on the first three steps.
Data Verification and Common Misconceptions Clarified
- Misconception 1: Higher leverage means more points. False. Points are based solely on trading volume; leverage does not affect the points multiplier.
- Misconception 2: You must trade every day. False. Balance points and referral points don’t require trading, and you can concentrate trading points into one day to cover a week’s quota (just watch the points expiry window).
- Misconception 3: Points never expire. False. The 15-day limit is strict—redeem on time.
All data is sourced from Gate’s official contract points rules (June 2026), with no fabricated or forecasted content.
Summary: Points Accumulation Roadmap for Low-Leverage Users
| Step | Action | Expected Daily Points | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maintain balance above $10,000 | 3‑4 | No risk |
| 2 | Complete 400‑3,200 USDT low-leverage cycle trade | 1‑4 | Very low |
| 3 | Refer 1‑3 qualified new users | 1‑3 | Zero risk |
| Total | Stable daily earnings | 5‑11 points | Controllable |
At 6 points per day, you’ll reach the 40-point threshold in 7 days, allowing you to redeem 20 points for a 100 USDT position experience voucher. By controlling leverage, diversifying positions, and monitoring expiry, contract points can become a steady extra income stream for low-risk participants.
FAQ
How can I earn points steadily without taking on high leverage risk?
Use low leverage (≤5x) and focus on balance points and small cycle trades. The detailed plan is provided above.
Do points expire?
Yes. Each point expires 15 days after it’s awarded, and the system uses a FIFO (first in, first out) approach. Check your points details every 5‑7 days.
What’s the minimum capital required?
A minimum of $100 is enough to start earning balance points (1 point per day). If you have less than $100, you can start with trading points (400 USDT trading volume ≈ 1 point).
What’s the maximum number of points I can earn daily?
Balance points max out at 4 per day; referral points max out at 3 per day; trading points have no cap. In theory, higher trading volume yields more points, but for low-risk strategies, it’s best to keep trading points at 5 or fewer per day.
Are referrals really effective? Is the threshold high?
They’re effective and cost nothing. The referred user only needs to earn 2 points (about 800 USDT trading volume or holding a $100 balance for two days), so the threshold is quite low.
What’s the best way to redeem points?
Currently, the most straightforward option is the position experience voucher: redeem 20 points (with a minimum of 40 total points) for a 100 USDT voucher. Profits are withdrawable. This gives you a real chance to earn with your points. Other airdrops (like XRP3L, etc.) are available periodically—check the points store for updates.
Do I need to trade frequently?
No. Balance points and referral points require no trading. For trading points, it’s recommended to complete 400‑3,200 USDT in trading volume per day (about 1‑4 points), with just one round-trip (open and close) needed.
Does higher leverage mean more points? Do low-leverage users lose out?
Points are not linked to leverage. Trading points depend only on trading volume (notional value). With low leverage, you can open the same notional position as with high leverage (you just need more margin). Low leverage doesn’t reduce your points and is actually safer.
