> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.sidepit.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.sidepit.com/use-sidepit/beta/trading/margin.md).

# Margin and Execution Fee

Sidepit uses shared Bitcoin margin across the account. The active contract publishes initial and maintenance requirements per contract, while the account view publishes current balance, available margin, restriction state, and per-contract margin data.

## Use live values

Do not use a remembered minimum deposit or margin amount. Read the current [Contract Specifications](/use-sidepit/beta/trading/contract-specifications.md), query `ACTIVE_PRODUCT` for live contract requirements, and query `POSITIONS` for current account state.

* **Initial margin** is the contract's published requirement for adding exposure.
* **Maintenance margin** is the published lower threshold used in ongoing risk checks.
* **Working orders** reserve margin while they remain open.
* **Available margin** is the amount currently available for orders or an owner unlock, subject to the server's final checks.
* **Restricted accounts** may reduce risk but cannot add it.

## Intraday and overnight margin

Sidepit does not liquidate positions while the market is open. During the open session, existing positions are supported by maintenance margin. If available margin falls below zero, the account can trade only toward a smaller position. The trader chooses and submits the exit order.

At daily settlement, open positions are marked to the settlement price and P\&L is folded into the account balance. New exposure carried into the next session must meet the higher initial-margin requirement. A position that has enough margin at 2:00 PM may therefore be short of margin at settlement.

If the account does not meet initial margin at settlement, it becomes restricted. The interval before the next pre-open check is the opportunity to add margin: receive Bitcoin at the Sidepit ID, then LOCK it. Sidepit checks the account again before the next session. If margin passes, the restriction clears. Otherwise, the account remains restricted and may reduce its position when trading resumes.

Unless carrying the position is deliberate, the normal day-trading posture is flat at the close.

## Execution fee

The production constant is:

`execution_fee_sats_per_contract_per_side = 125`

That is **125 sats per contract per side per execution**.

* Buy or sell one contract in one execution: 125 sats.
* Open one contract and later close it: 250 sats for that trader.
* Both counterparties together: 250 sats per matched contract.
* At $100,000/BTC: approximately $0.125 per side and $0.25 for a trader's round turn.

The engine deducts the execution fee on each fill. `PositionMargin.realized_fees` is populated in account state at both account and ticker scope. Execution fees reduce the balance available to support margin.

## Before an order

Review current position, working orders, available margin, maximum possible market-order fill, and execution fee. The server is always the final margin check, so a client estimate does not guarantee acceptance.

To increase the amount available for an unlock, cancel unwanted working orders and reduce exposure deliberately. Once an unlock reaches `RESERVED`, that reservation is irrevocable.


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