Lightning

What is bitFlyer Lightning?

bitFlyer Lightning is an exchange for Bitcoin spot, FX, futures trading, and Ethereum spot trading. Users can buy bitcoin with JPY in exchange, or they can sell bitcoin in exchange for JPY. 15x(*) leverage can be applied to Lightning FX and Lightning Futures, allowing users to seek a profit in both bull and bear markets as well as enabling diverse investment strategies. See here for more details.

*From April 22, 2019 (exact time in JST has yet to be decided) onward, the maximum leverage for new orders will be changed to 4x. More details can be found here.
What is the reason for the change in maximum leverage rate to 4x on April 22, 2019?

The change has been decided in consideration of the protection of our users from risks associated with virtual currency trading, such as price fluctuation and liquidity risks. From April 22, 2019 (JST) onward, the maximum leverage rate for placing new orders will become 4x. Following this, the maximum leverage rate for all positions will become 4x in late June.
Please see HERE for details.
What is the reason for the changes in margin maintenance rate and time allowed for making supplemental margin deposits after a margin call on April 22, 2019?

The change has been decided in consideration of the protection of our users from risks associated with virtual currency trading, such as price fluctuation and liquidity risks. From April 22, 2019 (JST) onward, margin call will be triggered when the maintenance margin rate falls below 100%, and the time allowed to make a supplemental margin deposit after margin call will be 2 bank business days.
Please see here for details.
Is bitFlyer Lightning available to anyone?

bitFlyer Lightning is available to all customers with a Trade Class account on bitFlyer. See here for more details.
I would like to know more about how to use bitFlyer Lightning.

Please click here for details including account creation, login, and a description of services.
How do I change leverage rate?

Leverage rate can be changed from the settings in your bitFlyer lightning page. ・Menu (icon with three bars on the left-hand side of screen) > Settings > Leverage

If you are using the bitFlyer Lightning App, click 「Margin Account」 on the left-hand side of the screen, and select 「Leverage」 on the next page.
What is Lightning Futures?

In Lightning Futures, you can margin buy and sell Bitcoin by depositing margin and making a settlement, using the unit BFT.
A position in a Lightning Futures market can be closed with a counter-trade settlement prior to the maturity date. If the position is not closed by the maturity date, the position will be automatically settled at the SQ (settlement price). The SQ (settlement price) is using the Itayose method at the time determined on the Bitcoin spot market maturity date.
One of the best parts about Lightning Futures (Bitcoin futures) is the opportunity to leverage your Bitcoin trades up to 15X. Please see below for more information.
About Lightning Futures　
Lightning Futures User Guide　
Lightning Futures Trading Rules
What is Lightning FX?

Lightning FX is a service that allows you to margin trade bitcoin by making a deposit and then making a settlement. Applying leverage allows you to make more efficient investments with your funds. You can amplify the reach of your funds by taking advantage of Lightning FX's 15x(*) leverage capabilities. Please see below for more information.
About Lightning FX　
Lightning FX User Guide　
Lightning FX Trading Rules

*From April 22, 2019 (exact time in JST has yet to be decided) onward, the maximum leverage for new orders will be changed to 4x. More details can be found here.
Why don’t the values for “Amount” and “Available” match up on Lightning’s home screen?

This is because it factors in orders that have been placed but not yet executed.
Even though I placed a limit order, a different price was executed.

If a more advantageous price can be executed compared to the price for which you placed a limit on, the price will be executed immediately. In the event that the order will be placed at a more detrimental price compared to the current value, we would suggest using a stop order (Special Order - STOP).
I do not understand how to settle an open position I purchased on Lightning BTC-FX.

You will need to place a counter-traded order against your current position and settle. Buy positions will be settled through a sell-back, and sell positions will be settled through a buy-back. Positions will be settled in order from the oldest date of execution. Please see bitFlyer FX Trading Rules for further details.
How do I make a margin deposit?

Click the menu button in the upper-left corner in bitFlyer Lightning, then select Funds. Under “Lightning FX/Futures account”, enter the amount you wish to deposit and press the “to Margin Account” button. For more information, please reference section 3 (About Margin) here.
How can I confirm maintenance margin rate?

Click the "BTC FX" tab in the upper part of the Lightning screen, then go to 'Funds' under"Menu" from the upper-left section of the BTC FX. Select the "BTC-FX Account" tab, then you can see the maintenance margin rate. See here, "3. About Margin" for further details.
I have received a mail and I need to make an additional margin deposit. How much do I need?

Click the "BTC FX" tab in the upper part of the Lightning screen, then go to 'Funds' under"Menu" from the upper-left section of the BTC FX. Select the "BTC-FX Account" tab, then you can see the maintenance margin rate. Please make an additional margin deposit to keep maintenance margin rate 80% or more. See here, "3. About Margin" for further details.
I would like to know more about margin.

See here, "3. About Margin" for details about margin.
I would like to know more about special orders at BTC-FX.

Please refer here for details about special orders.
Can I place cross orders at Lightning BTC-FX?

Cross orders are not currently available.
Can I make use of leverage at Lightning FX?

Yes. You can trade with 15x(*) leverage on Lightning FX.

*From April 22, 2019 (exact time in JST has yet to be decided) onward, the maximum leverage for new orders will be changed to 4x. More details can be found here.
What are the conditions to trigger the automatic placement of the secondary orders for IFD and IFDOCO orders?

In order to trigger the automatic placement of secondary orders, the first order must be completely filled.
If the first order is only partially filled, the secondary orders will not be placed.

While limit orders may have partial executions, market orders will only execute in their entirety and can not have partial executions.
Therefore, if the first order is a limit order, the secondary order will fall into one of the following three patterns based on the “execution amount parameters” chosen when the order was placed.

1. Good ‘Til Cancelled These order amount parameters mean that the order will remain valid until it is either filled or cancelled.
If the first order is only partially filled, the order will remain valid for the remaining amount until it either expires or is cancelled by the user.
*Unless designated otherwise, orders will expire after 30 days.

2. Immediate or Cancel These order parameters mean that the order will be fully or partially filled at the designated price or a more profitable one.
The amount that can not be filled is immediately cancelled.
If the first order is only partially filled, the IFD order will be automatically cancelled and the secondary order will not be placed.

3. Fill or Kill
These order parameters mean that if the order can not be completely filled immediately upon being placed, the whole order is automatically cancelled. In this case, the first order is immediately filled in full or cancelled in full. The first order can not be partially filled.
I would like to cancel an order on Lightning.

If you would like to cancel an order on bitFlyer Lightning, please press the cancel order button. The cancel order button is the ‘x" mark in the order history section. Clicking on your order on the board can also cancel the order. If a limit order was placed but not executed for a certain period of time, the order will be automatically revoked after 365 days. Orders that have already been executed cannot be cancelled.
Can I check an order I cancelled?

Cancelled orders are also recorded in the history on the Lightning Transaction Report page.
Are physical delivery settlements available on Lightning FX?

We accept requests for physical delivery of 1 to 100 spot BTC from the BTC-FX/JPY market. Short positions can be physically delivered by paying BTC spot, and taking physical delivery on a long position entails paying JPY. Physical delivery settlements are limited to one per week per customer. Please let us know via our Contact Us form if you are interested in using this service. The fee in Japanese Yen is calculated by the following formula: your position's weighted average execution price x position size x 20%. (Your position's average execution price will be determined by bitFlyer on the proceeding business day after instructions and other details are provided)
Do I need margin for spot trading?

No margin is necessary for cash purchases. Available funds are calculated by factoring in orders that have been placed but not yet executed.
Where can I see API for Lightning?

Please see here for details about Lightning API.
How can I test my program with Lightning API?

Please use our Lightning API Playground.

Most frequently asked questions

What are the conditions to trigger the automatic placement of the secondary orders for IFD and IFDOCO orders?

In order to trigger the automatic placement of secondary orders, the first order must be completely filled.
If the first order is only partially filled, the secondary orders will not be placed.

While limit orders may have partial executions, market orders will only execute in their entirety and can not have partial executions.
Therefore, if the first order is a limit order, the secondary order will fall into one of the following three patterns based on the “execution amount parameters” chosen when the order was placed.

1. Good ‘Til Cancelled These order amount parameters mean that the order will remain valid until it is either filled or cancelled.
If the first order is only partially filled, the order will remain valid for the remaining amount until it either expires or is cancelled by the user.
*Unless designated otherwise, orders will expire after 30 days.

2. Immediate or Cancel These order parameters mean that the order will be fully or partially filled at the designated price or a more profitable one.
The amount that can not be filled is immediately cancelled.
If the first order is only partially filled, the IFD order will be automatically cancelled and the secondary order will not be placed.

3. Fill or Kill
These order parameters mean that if the order can not be completely filled immediately upon being placed, the whole order is automatically cancelled. In this case, the first order is immediately filled in full or cancelled in full. The first order can not be partially filled.
I entered the wrong password and my account was frozen. What should I do?

If you enter your password incorrectly a certain number of times, your account will be frozen for a certain period of time in order to ensure your security. Please try waiting for a little while and logging in again.

If you have forgotten your password, enter your email address and press the "Request bitFlyer to change your password" button from contact page.
How do I change leverage rate?

Leverage rate can be changed from the settings in your bitFlyer lightning page. ・Menu (icon with three bars on the left-hand side of screen) > Settings > Leverage

If you are using the bitFlyer Lightning App, click 「Margin Account」 on the left-hand side of the screen, and select 「Leverage」 on the next page.

If your questions are not resolved, please try contacting us by telephone or using the inquiry form.

FAQ