HDR Global Trading Limited, operator of the BitMEX cryptocurrency trading platform, is proud to announce our COVID-19 Response Fund. We have granted US$2.5 million towards the global effort to respond to the pandemic.
COVID-19 is an unprecedented crisis which demands a global, coordinated response. Businesses have a vital role to play in efforts to slow the spread of the virus, mitigate its impact and save lives, and we’re keen to contribute however we can.
As a fintech company, the best way for us to contribute to these efforts is through philanthropy.
Philanthropy has unique potential in this crisis; strategically directed funds can fill gaps in the global response and rapidly empower well-equipped but under-resourced organisations. The four organisations we have chosen to support are leading efforts to tackle COVID-19 and are able to scale up their response given more funding.
As we all focus on this global crisis, we also need to consider how we can build capacity to better handle the next pandemic. To handle other novel outbreaks, we must prevent outbreaks before they occur, quickly detect outbreaks when they occur and develop rapid countermeasures that can be deployed at scale.
The HDR Global Trading COVID-19 Response Fund has confirmed grants of between US$300,000 and US$1,000,000, totalling $2.5million, to four organisations, as follows:
Gates Philanthropy Partners: https://www.gatesfoundation.org/philanthropypartners/funds/covid-19
Nuclear Threat Initiative (Biosecurity Program): https://www.nti.org/about/biosecurity/
OpenMined: https://www.openmined.org/
Our World in Data: https://ourworldindata.org/coronavirus
Arthur Hayes, CEO and Co-Founder of HDR Global Trading Limited, commented, “We are committed to thoughtful grantmaking and ensuring that our actions during the COVID-19 crisis can make the biggest impact now and in the future. We have therefore decided to make grants totalling US$2.5 million to four organisations that are making a tangible difference in tackling COVID-19 as well as mitigating global catastrophic biological risks.”
We are grateful to the philanthropic advisory group Effective Giving U.K. who we consulted to understand how our donations could have the biggest impact now and in the future. Note that HDR Global Trading’s COVID-19 Response Fund is entirely separate from the personal philanthropy initiatives, including in support of COVID-19, undertaken by HDR Co-Founder Ben Delo, a signatory of the Giving Pledge.
More info is on our blog: https://blog.bitmex.com/how-we-are-responding-to-covid-19/
COVID-19 is an unprecedented crisis which demands a global, coordinated response. Businesses have a vital role to play in efforts to slow the spread of the virus, mitigate its impact and save lives, and we’re keen to contribute however we can.
As a fintech company, the best way for us to contribute to these efforts is through philanthropy.
Philanthropy has unique potential in this crisis; strategically directed funds can fill gaps in the global response and rapidly empower well-equipped but under-resourced organisations. The four organisations we have chosen to support are leading efforts to tackle COVID-19 and are able to scale up their response given more funding.
As we all focus on this global crisis, we also need to consider how we can build capacity to better handle the next pandemic. To handle other novel outbreaks, we must prevent outbreaks before they occur, quickly detect outbreaks when they occur and develop rapid countermeasures that can be deployed at scale.
The HDR Global Trading COVID-19 Response Fund has confirmed grants of between US$300,000 and US$1,000,000, totalling $2.5million, to four organisations, as follows:
Gates Philanthropy Partners: https://www.gatesfoundation.org/philanthropypartners/funds/covid-19
Nuclear Threat Initiative (Biosecurity Program): https://www.nti.org/about/biosecurity/
OpenMined: https://www.openmined.org/
Our World in Data: https://ourworldindata.org/coronavirus
Arthur Hayes, CEO and Co-Founder of HDR Global Trading Limited, commented, “We are committed to thoughtful grantmaking and ensuring that our actions during the COVID-19 crisis can make the biggest impact now and in the future. We have therefore decided to make grants totalling US$2.5 million to four organisations that are making a tangible difference in tackling COVID-19 as well as mitigating global catastrophic biological risks.”
We are grateful to the philanthropic advisory group Effective Giving U.K. who we consulted to understand how our donations could have the biggest impact now and in the future. Note that HDR Global Trading’s COVID-19 Response Fund is entirely separate from the personal philanthropy initiatives, including in support of COVID-19, undertaken by HDR Co-Founder Ben Delo, a signatory of the Giving Pledge.
More info is on our blog: https://blog.bitmex.com/how-we-are-responding-to-covid-19/
[Testnet] Database system update
Scheduled for 22 April 2020, 2300 UTC - 23 April 2020, 0000 UTC
As part of a series of ongoing changes designed to improve our quality of service and scalability, please be advised that we will be performing a system update to our database service in Testnet starting Wednesday 22 April 2020, at 2300 UTC. The system update is expected to last approximately one hour. Trading, logins, and other key API features will remain operational, however, please note that the following features will be disabled during this scheduled maintenance period:
- Withdrawal
- Trollbox muting
- New account signup & email verification
- Password reset
- Preferences updates
- API Key creation/deletion/enabling/disabling
- Address creation/edition/deletion
- 2FA enabling/disabling
- Address Skip Confirm Email enabling
We will make a further announcement on this page to confirm completion of the system update.
Please feel free to contact Support with any concerns you may have about the scheduled update. You may reach us via our contact form: https://www.bitmex.com/app/support/contact.
Scheduled for 22 April 2020, 2300 UTC - 23 April 2020, 0000 UTC
As part of a series of ongoing changes designed to improve our quality of service and scalability, please be advised that we will be performing a system update to our database service in Testnet starting Wednesday 22 April 2020, at 2300 UTC. The system update is expected to last approximately one hour. Trading, logins, and other key API features will remain operational, however, please note that the following features will be disabled during this scheduled maintenance period:
- Withdrawal
- Trollbox muting
- New account signup & email verification
- Password reset
- Preferences updates
- API Key creation/deletion/enabling/disabling
- Address creation/edition/deletion
- 2FA enabling/disabling
- Address Skip Confirm Email enabling
We will make a further announcement on this page to confirm completion of the system update.
Please feel free to contact Support with any concerns you may have about the scheduled update. You may reach us via our contact form: https://www.bitmex.com/app/support/contact.
WebSocket Systems Upgrade Complete: Significant End-User Latency Improvements
We are proud to announce that the fourth generation of the BitMEX Feeds architecture went live 21 April 2020 between 17:00 and 19:30 UTC. All customers are now on our new architecture and will enjoy much-improved data latency. Please see our blog for more detailed information: https://blog.bitmex.com/websocket-systems-upgrade-complete-significant-end-user-latency-improvements/
We are proud to announce that the fourth generation of the BitMEX Feeds architecture went live 21 April 2020 between 17:00 and 19:30 UTC. All customers are now on our new architecture and will enjoy much-improved data latency. Please see our blog for more detailed information: https://blog.bitmex.com/websocket-systems-upgrade-complete-significant-end-user-latency-improvements/
[Testnet] Database System Update
Completed - as at 23 April 2020, 00:21 UTC
The scheduled system update has successfully concluded. The BitMEX Testnet platform is now back to full functionality, and no trading activity was affected during this period. We thank you for your patience.
Please see our blog for more detailed information: https://status.bitmex.com/incidents/mt8pgtrlgq4w
Completed - as at 23 April 2020, 00:21 UTC
The scheduled system update has successfully concluded. The BitMEX Testnet platform is now back to full functionality, and no trading activity was affected during this period. We thank you for your patience.
Please see our blog for more detailed information: https://status.bitmex.com/incidents/mt8pgtrlgq4w
Bitmex
[Testnet] Database system update
BitMEX's Status Page - [Testnet] Database system update.
Announcing The ETHUSD Quanto Futures Contract
We are launching an ETHUSD quanto futures contract with up to 50x leverage on 5 May 2020 at 04:00 UTC.
The first contract (ETHUSDM20) will expire in June. This new product will be the only one of its kind available in the market, and represents significant new trading opportunities on BitMEX.
ETHUSD quanto futures have a fixed Bitcoin multiplier regardless of the USD Ethereum price. This allows traders to long or short the ETH/USD exchange rate without ever touching either ETH or USD! Traders post margin in XBT, and earn or lose Bitcoin as the ETH/USD rate changes.
This contract combines the quanto feature of our ETHUSD perpetual swap with the expiry and settlement found in traditional futures. As with every BitMEX altcoin future, it expires quarterly.
Please see our blog for more information: https://blog.bitmex.com/announcing-the-ethusd-quanto-futures-contract/
We are launching an ETHUSD quanto futures contract with up to 50x leverage on 5 May 2020 at 04:00 UTC.
The first contract (ETHUSDM20) will expire in June. This new product will be the only one of its kind available in the market, and represents significant new trading opportunities on BitMEX.
ETHUSD quanto futures have a fixed Bitcoin multiplier regardless of the USD Ethereum price. This allows traders to long or short the ETH/USD exchange rate without ever touching either ETH or USD! Traders post margin in XBT, and earn or lose Bitcoin as the ETH/USD rate changes.
This contract combines the quanto feature of our ETHUSD perpetual swap with the expiry and settlement found in traditional futures. As with every BitMEX altcoin future, it expires quarterly.
Please see our blog for more information: https://blog.bitmex.com/announcing-the-ethusd-quanto-futures-contract/
Reduction in Base Maintenance Margin - XBT and ETH Series - 5 May 2020
On 5 May 2020 at 02:00:00 UTC, we will reduce the Base Maintenance Margin requirements for our XBT Series and ETH Series products as part of an ongoing trial period. Base Initial Margin requirements will be unchanged.
Affected contracts and corresponding Base Maintenance Margin requirements will be:
XBTUSD, XBTM20, XBTU20 0.40%
ETHUSD, ETHUSDM20, ETHM20 0.80%
These changes will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and the end of this trial period will be announced with 1 week's notice.
Please see our blog post for further details: https://blog.bitmex.com/reduction-in-base-maintenance-margin-xbt-and-eth-series-5-may-2020/
On 5 May 2020 at 02:00:00 UTC, we will reduce the Base Maintenance Margin requirements for our XBT Series and ETH Series products as part of an ongoing trial period. Base Initial Margin requirements will be unchanged.
Affected contracts and corresponding Base Maintenance Margin requirements will be:
XBTUSD, XBTM20, XBTU20 0.40%
ETHUSD, ETHUSDM20, ETHM20 0.80%
These changes will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and the end of this trial period will be announced with 1 week's notice.
Please see our blog post for further details: https://blog.bitmex.com/reduction-in-base-maintenance-margin-xbt-and-eth-series-5-may-2020/
Reminder: ETHUSD Quanto Future product and a further Maintenance Margin reduction going live tomorrow
- ETHUSD @ 04:00 UTC: https://blog.bitmex.com/announcing-the-ethusd-quanto-futures-contract/
- Maintenance Margin Changes @ 02:00 UTC: https://blog.bitmex.com/reduction-in-base-maintenance-margin-xbt-and-eth-series-5-may-2020/
(More details in posts above)
- ETHUSD @ 04:00 UTC: https://blog.bitmex.com/announcing-the-ethusd-quanto-futures-contract/
- Maintenance Margin Changes @ 02:00 UTC: https://blog.bitmex.com/reduction-in-base-maintenance-margin-xbt-and-eth-series-5-may-2020/
(More details in posts above)
Reduction in Base Maintenance Margin - XBT and ETH Series - 5 May 2020
We have reduced our Base Maintenance Margin requirements for our XBT Series and ETH Series products today, 5 May 2020, with effect from 02:00:00 UTC as part of an ongoing trial period. Base Initial Margin requirements remain unchanged.
Please note that the cap on the absolute Funding Rate (https://www.bitmex.com/app/perpetualContractsGuide#Funding-Rate-Caps) will change in line with its definition as 75% x (Initial Margin - Maintenance Margin) and the cap on Funding Rate changes between Funding Intervals (75% of Maintenance Margin) will also reduce.
Please see our blog post for further details: https://blog.bitmex.com/reduction-in-base-maintenance-margin-xbt-and-eth-series-5-may-2020/
We have reduced our Base Maintenance Margin requirements for our XBT Series and ETH Series products today, 5 May 2020, with effect from 02:00:00 UTC as part of an ongoing trial period. Base Initial Margin requirements remain unchanged.
Please note that the cap on the absolute Funding Rate (https://www.bitmex.com/app/perpetualContractsGuide#Funding-Rate-Caps) will change in line with its definition as 75% x (Initial Margin - Maintenance Margin) and the cap on Funding Rate changes between Funding Intervals (75% of Maintenance Margin) will also reduce.
Please see our blog post for further details: https://blog.bitmex.com/reduction-in-base-maintenance-margin-xbt-and-eth-series-5-may-2020/
New ETHUSD Futures Went Live Today (5 May 2020) at 04:00 UTC
Today, 5 May 2020, our latest product, the ETHUSD quanto futures contract, went live.
Trading started here: https://www.bitmex.com/app/trade/ETHUSDM20 at 04:00 UTC - see the full contract specs on our website: https://www.bitmex.com/app/contract/ETHUSDM20.
Today, 5 May 2020, our latest product, the ETHUSD quanto futures contract, went live.
Trading started here: https://www.bitmex.com/app/trade/ETHUSDM20 at 04:00 UTC - see the full contract specs on our website: https://www.bitmex.com/app/contract/ETHUSDM20.
What Does the Halving Mean For BitMEX Users?
The world seems like a very different place since the eve of the last Bitcoin halving in June 2016 – not least as the price of a coin was around $650 back then. And despite Bitcoin's relative infancy, as in life, so much has changed yet so much remains the same. Just like ahead of the halvings in 2012 and 2016, we're seeing the same questions. Will miners exit? Will the hashrate drop? Will confidence decline? Will there be a price correction? And today, all are with the added and swirling complexity of COVID-19.
Continue to read on our blog here: https://blog.bitmex.com/what-does-the-halving-mean-for-bitmex-users/
The world seems like a very different place since the eve of the last Bitcoin halving in June 2016 – not least as the price of a coin was around $650 back then. And despite Bitcoin's relative infancy, as in life, so much has changed yet so much remains the same. Just like ahead of the halvings in 2012 and 2016, we're seeing the same questions. Will miners exit? Will the hashrate drop? Will confidence decline? Will there be a price correction? And today, all are with the added and swirling complexity of COVID-19.
Continue to read on our blog here: https://blog.bitmex.com/what-does-the-halving-mean-for-bitmex-users/
Scheduled for 14 May 2020, 2100 UTC - 14 May 2020, 2300 UTC
As part of a series of ongoing changes designed to improve our quality of service and scalability, please be advised that we will be performing a system update to our database service in production starting Thursday 14 May 2020, at 2100 UTC. The system update is expected to last approximately two hours.
Trading, logins, and other key API features will remain operational, however, please note that the following features will be disabled during this scheduled maintenance period:
- Withdrawal requests
- Trollbox muting
- New account signup & email verification
- Password resets
- Preferences updates
- API Key creation/deletion/enabling/disabling
- Address creation/amendment/deletion
- 2FA enabling/disabling
- Address Skip Confirm Email enabling
We will make a further announcement here to confirm completion of the system update.
Please feel free to contact Support with any concerns you may have about the scheduled update via our contact form: https://www.bitmex.com/app/support/contact.
As part of a series of ongoing changes designed to improve our quality of service and scalability, please be advised that we will be performing a system update to our database service in production starting Thursday 14 May 2020, at 2100 UTC. The system update is expected to last approximately two hours.
Trading, logins, and other key API features will remain operational, however, please note that the following features will be disabled during this scheduled maintenance period:
- Withdrawal requests
- Trollbox muting
- New account signup & email verification
- Password resets
- Preferences updates
- API Key creation/deletion/enabling/disabling
- Address creation/amendment/deletion
- 2FA enabling/disabling
- Address Skip Confirm Email enabling
We will make a further announcement here to confirm completion of the system update.
Please feel free to contact Support with any concerns you may have about the scheduled update via our contact form: https://www.bitmex.com/app/support/contact.
[Production] Database system update - COMPLETED
The scheduled system update has successfully concluded. The BitMEX platform is now back to full functionality, and no trading activity was affected during this period. We thank you for your patience.
The scheduled system update has successfully concluded. The BitMEX platform is now back to full functionality, and no trading activity was affected during this period. We thank you for your patience.
Ben Radclyffe appeared virtually at Chain Talk's #CASummit yesterday discussing the evolution of markets and the importance of healthy and liquid crypto-currency exchanges.
Watch the full presentation back here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jyba5ngg-0
For further info on Chain Talk's Crypto Asia Summit follow their channel here: https://news.1rj.ru/str/chaintalktv
Watch the full presentation back here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jyba5ngg-0
For further info on Chain Talk's Crypto Asia Summit follow their channel here: https://news.1rj.ru/str/chaintalktv
YouTube
Ben Radclyffe's Crypto Asia Keynote
BitMEX's Commercial Director, Ben Radclyffe appeared “as live” at ChainTalk's Crypto Asia Virtual Summit on 18 May 2020.
He discusses the evolution of market makers and their relevance for healthy and liquid crypto-currency exchanges today. Watch his full…
He discusses the evolution of market makers and their relevance for healthy and liquid crypto-currency exchanges today. Watch his full…
Incident noscript: Trading engine downtime
Incident time: May 19, 2020 - 12:13 UTC
Incident status: Investigating
Details: The Trading Engine is currently down. We're working to bring it back online as soon as possible. Further updates to follow shortly.
BitMEX.com - Trading Engine - Operational
Incident time: May 19, 2020 - 12:13 UTC
Incident status: Investigating
Details: The Trading Engine is currently down. We're working to bring it back online as soon as possible. Further updates to follow shortly.
BitMEX.com - Trading Engine - Operational
Incident noscript: Trading engine downtime
Incident time: May 19, 2020 - 12:28 UTC
Incident status: Investigating
Details: We are continuing to investigate this issue.
BitMEX.com - Trading Engine - Major outage
Incident time: May 19, 2020 - 12:28 UTC
Incident status: Investigating
Details: We are continuing to investigate this issue.
BitMEX.com - Trading Engine - Major outage
UPDATE: The BitMEX Trading Engine is currently down.
We're working to bring it back online as soon as possible.
We can confirm all funds are safe, delayed orders will be rejected, and no liquidations will occur during the downtime.
On coming back online, there will be a cancel only period initially.
For official updates please follow https://status.bitmex.com and continue to monitor this channel
We're working to bring it back online as soon as possible.
We can confirm all funds are safe, delayed orders will be rejected, and no liquidations will occur during the downtime.
On coming back online, there will be a cancel only period initially.
For official updates please follow https://status.bitmex.com and continue to monitor this channel
Incident noscript: Trading engine downtime
Incident time: May 19, 2020 - 13:29 UTC
Incident status: Monitoring
Details: We’re bringing the BitMEX platform back online, initially via cancel only mode until 13:40 UTC, where no new orders can be placed. All funds are safe, withdrawals will be delayed until after the outage has been resolved, likely 15:00 UTC. No liquidations have occurred during the downtime.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may be causing. We are looking into the cause of this issue, and will be sharing an update as soon as possible. If you have any further questions, please contact us via https://www.bitmex.com/app/support/contact.
BitMEX.com - Trading Engine - Degraded performance
Incident time: May 19, 2020 - 13:29 UTC
Incident status: Monitoring
Details: We’re bringing the BitMEX platform back online, initially via cancel only mode until 13:40 UTC, where no new orders can be placed. All funds are safe, withdrawals will be delayed until after the outage has been resolved, likely 15:00 UTC. No liquidations have occurred during the downtime.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may be causing. We are looking into the cause of this issue, and will be sharing an update as soon as possible. If you have any further questions, please contact us via https://www.bitmex.com/app/support/contact.
BitMEX.com - Trading Engine - Degraded performance