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Crypto Perpetual Futures Support

Current Status: Preparatory Only

The Alpaca.Markets .NET SDK includes a CryptoPerpetual asset class enum value in preparation for potential future support of crypto perpetual futures. However, Alpaca Markets does not currently offer crypto perpetual futures trading.

What's Available

✅ Spot Crypto Trading (Fully Supported)

// Current working crypto symbols (spot trading only)
var symbols = new[] { "BTC/USD", "ETH/USD", "AVAX/USD" };

// Historical data
var barsRequest = new HistoricalCryptoBarsRequest(symbols, yesterday, today);
var bars = await cryptoDataClient.ListHistoricalBarsAsync(barsRequest);

// Real-time streaming
var subscription = cryptoStreamingClient.GetTradeSubscription("BTC/USD");

❌ Crypto Perpetual Futures (Not Currently Available)

// The following enum exists but is not functional:
AssetClass.CryptoPerpetual  // JSON: "crypto_perp"

// Hypothetical perpetual symbols (these would NOT work):
// "BTCUSD-PERP", "BTC-PERP", etc.

Technical Implementation Status

Component Spot Crypto Perpetual Futures
IAlpacaCryptoDataClient ✅ Full support ❌ Not available
IAlpacaCryptoStreamingClient ✅ Full support ❌ Not available
AssetClass enum ✅ Crypto 🟡 CryptoPerpetual (preparatory)
API endpoints ✅ /v1beta3/crypto/us/ ❌ No active endpoints

Current Crypto Capabilities

The existing crypto clients provide complete functionality for spot crypto trading:

Data API Features:

  • Historical bars, trades, and quotes
  • Latest market data (bars, trades, quotes)
  • Market snapshots
  • Order book data
  • Exchange filtering

Streaming Features:

  • Real-time trade updates
  • Real-time quote updates
  • Order book streaming
  • Market status updates

Future Considerations

The CryptoPerpetual asset class exists as preparatory infrastructure for potential future support. If/when Alpaca Markets adds crypto perpetual futures:

  1. No breaking changes will be required in client code
  2. Additional methods may be added to crypto clients
  3. New request/response models may be introduced
  4. Symbol formats will be determined by Alpaca's implementation

Alternative Solutions

For crypto perpetual futures trading, consider platforms that currently offer derivatives trading:

  • Other crypto exchanges with perpetual futures
  • Multi-asset brokers with crypto derivatives
  • Dedicated crypto derivatives platforms

Questions?

If you need crypto perpetual futures functionality, please:

  1. Contact Alpaca Markets directly about their roadmap
  2. Monitor Alpaca's announcements for derivatives support
  3. Watch SDK releases for perpetual futures implementation

This documentation reflects the current state as of SDK 8.0.0. Future versions may include active perpetual futures support when Alpaca Markets launches this functionality.