In the fast-paced world of cryptocurrency derivatives trading, managing risk and securing profits are essential for long-term success. Platforms like Bybit have evolved their tools to help traders automate these critical functions through advanced Take-Profit (TP) and Stop-Loss (SL) features. These mechanisms allow traders to lock in gains or limit losses without constant market monitoring—especially valuable in volatile conditions.
This guide dives deep into how modern TP/SL systems work in perpetual and futures contracts, covering configuration options, execution logic, real-world scenarios, and common pitfalls. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced trader, understanding these tools can significantly enhance your trading strategy.
How Take-Profit and Stop-Loss Work
At their core:
- A Take-Profit order automatically closes a position when the market reaches a predefined price, locking in profits.
- A Stop-Loss order triggers when the market hits a specified loss threshold, helping prevent further downside.
These orders are set during or after opening a position and execute as conditional market or limit orders once triggered. The latest versions of trading platforms now allow simultaneous setup of both TP and SL—giving traders full control over entry, exit, and risk management from a single interface.
👉 Discover how automated trading strategies can boost your performance with smart exit rules.
Two Key TP/SL Configuration Modes
Modern platforms offer two primary modes for applying take-profit and stop-loss orders:
1. Position-Wide TP/SL
This applies the TP/SL settings to the entire open position. Only one TP and one SL can be active at a time per position. When triggered, the system executes a market order to close the full size.
Best for: Simpler strategies where you want all-or-nothing exits based on a single price level.
2. Partial Position (Per-Order) TP/SL
Also known as "current order" mode, this allows multiple TP/SL orders tied to specific portions of your overall position. Each partial order can use either market or limit execution, enabling complex profit-taking strategies (e.g., scaling out).
When one partial TP/SL triggers, its counterpart (SL if TP hits, or vice versa) is automatically canceled.
Best for: Traders using tiered exit strategies, such as selling half at target A and half at target B while maintaining a trailing stop.
Key Differences: Old vs. New TP/SL Systems
| Feature | New TP/SL System | Legacy System |
|---|---|---|
| Configuration Flexibility | Choose between position-wide or per-order | Manual toggle required |
| Trigger Conditions | Price, ROI (%), PnL, or change rate | Price or ROI (%) only |
| Order Types Supported | Market and limit orders (for partial) | Market orders only |
| Max Concurrent Orders | Up to multiple per position (partial) | One per position |
| Behavior on Position Adjustment | Automatically adjusts or preserves | Varies by mode |
The newer system provides greater flexibility, especially for advanced users who manage dynamic portfolios with layered risk controls.
Real-World Scenarios: Applying TP/SL Strategies
Let’s explore practical examples to illustrate how these tools behave under different market conditions.
Scenario 1: Managing Multiple Partial Exits
Suppose BTC is trading at $25,000, and Trader Tanaka holds a 1 BTC long position with three attached orders:
- TP A: Sell 0.5 BTC at $26,000 via market order (partial)
- TP B: Sell 0.5 BTC via limit order at $30,500 when price hits $30,000 (partial)
- SL C: Full 1 BTC stop-loss at $23,000 (position-wide)
What happens?
- At $26,000, TP A triggers—0.5 BTC sold. Remaining: 0.5 BTC. TP B and SL C remain active.
- At $27,000, Tanaka manually sells 0.1 BTC. Now holds 0.4 BTC. TP B still valid.
At **$30,000**, TP B activates—places a limit sell at $30,500.
- If it fills at $30,500: Final 0.4 BTC sold; SL C canceled.
- If price drops to $23,000 before fill: SL C triggers, closes remaining 0.4 BTC at market; TP B canceled.
This shows how partial and full protections interact dynamically.
👉 See how professional traders structure multi-tier exits using automated tools.
Scenario 2: Adding New Entries with Independent TP/SL
Tanaka already has:
- 1 BTC long at $25,000
- Partial TP at $26,000 (0.5 BTC)
He places a new limit buy for 1 BTC at $24,000 with its own TP/SL:
- TP: $27,000 (sell 0.5 BTC)
- SL: $22,000 (sell 0.5 BTC)
When the new order fills:
- Total position becomes 2 BTC
- Two separate TP/SL sets exist—one for each batch
If price hits $26,000:
- First TP triggers (from original), sells 0.5 BTC
- New TP/SL remains active on the second batch
This demonstrates how per-order logic supports cost averaging and batch-specific risk control.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I view active and executed TP/SL orders?
Active (untriggered) TP/SL orders appear under Open Orders. Triggered or canceled ones are found in Order History.
Why can partial TP/SL quantities exceed my current position size?
You can set multiple partial orders whose total may temporarily exceed your holdings. Execution follows the lower of the set quantity or available balance. Opposing positions won’t be created.
Why does my 50% loss stop match the liquidation price?
This occurs when using maximum leverage (e.g., 100x). At 1% initial margin and 0.5% maintenance margin, a 50% drop wipes equity—so SL aligns with liquidation level.
Can I set a stop-loss beyond the liquidation price?
Yes—Bybit allows this for strategic flexibility. However, such orders won’t trigger if liquidation occurs first via mark price.
What happens if my position exceeds max order size?
For large positions (e.g., 1,000 BTC when max order is 100 BTC), the system splits the TP/SL into sequential 100 BTC market orders until fully closed—or until forced liquidation intervenes.
Why was my position liquidated despite having a stop-loss?
Common reasons include:
- Using incorrect trigger price (e.g., last price instead of mark price)
- Slippage causing execution worse than bankruptcy price
- System preemptively liquidating to avoid negative equity
Does using mark price for stop-loss prevent liquidation?
Even with mark price SL set above liquidation level, extreme slippage or adverse fills may still lead to forced closure if the trade risks exceeding collateral.
Pro Tips for Effective Risk Management
- Always use mark price as the trigger reference to avoid manipulation from volatile last prices.
- Combine partial TP with trailing stops to capture trends while protecting gains.
- Monitor funding rates in perpetual contracts—long-term holds may erode profits even with good entry points.
- Test strategies in demo mode before live deployment.
👉 Start applying precision risk controls with a platform built for modern derivatives trading.
Final Thoughts
Take-profit and stop-loss aren't just safety nets—they're strategic tools that define your trading discipline. With today's advanced systems offering multi-tier exits, per-order automation, and dynamic adjustment logic, traders have unprecedented control over their risk-reward profiles.
By mastering these features in perpetual and futures markets, you move beyond emotional decision-making toward consistent, rules-based execution—key to surviving and thriving in crypto’s turbulent landscape.
Note: All external links and promotional content have been removed per guidelines. Only approved anchor texts pointing to https://www.okx.com/join/BLOCKSTAR remain.