Whether a liability remains after closing a position depends on the account mode you use. OKX handles leverage closing and debt repayment differently in each mode. Some modes settle debt automatically when you close a position, while others require manual action. If you still see a liability, it is usually normal — automatic repayment may not have been triggered yet, or you are using a mode that requires manual repayment.
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Case 1: Futures mode — debt is repaid automatically when you close
If you use a futures account in single-currency margin mode, the rule is simple. When you close a position, the system automatically uses the sale proceeds to repay the borrowed funds and interest first. The liability goes to zero. As long as your position closes successfully, no liability remains in the account.
There is one exception. If a position loses heavily and the sale proceeds are not enough to cover the full loan, the forced-liquidation engine will sell your position in batches and repay debt in batches according to certain rules until the account returns to a safe level. In this case, if the sale amount is not enough to repay all liabilities, a partial outstanding liability may remain.
- Goal: Check whether the position was fully closed and whether any liability remains.
- How to check: Open the Assets page and view the "Liabilities" column. If it shows 0, the debt is cleared. If it still shows a number, the sale proceeds were not enough to repay the full debt.
- Done when: You confirm the exact amount in the Liabilities column and clearly understand your liability status.
Case 2: Multi-currency margin or portfolio margin mode — three ways to repay debt
This is the most confusing mode. In this mode, closing a position does not automatically repay all liabilities. After closing, you need to handle repayment manually through one of the following three methods:
1. Spot purchase automatically repays
Buy the borrowed currency directly in the spot market. Once the purchase succeeds, the system will automatically transfer and repay the corresponding liability.
- Goal: Manually buy the currency you owe.
- How to do it: On the spot trading page, buy the currency you owe. For example, if you owe USDT, buy USDT. Buy enough to cover the debt.
- Done when: The corresponding currency amount in the "Liabilities" column on the Assets page decreases and reaches zero.
2. One-click debt repayment (using other assets)
Use other coins in your account, such as BTC or ETH, to repay the liability.
- Goal: Use other assets to repay the debt.
- How to do it: Go to the Trading page → Assets panel → click "One-click repay" or "Repay liabilities". Select the coin you hold and the amount you want to sell. The system will automatically convert it into the currency you need and repay the debt.
- Done when: The liability reaches zero, and the assets used for repayment are deducted accordingly.
3. Transfer funds
If you previously moved the borrowed currency to your funding account, you can transfer it back and the system will automatically use it to repay the debt.
- Goal: Transfer the same currency from your funding account back to your trading account.
- How to do it: On the Assets page, select Transfer, then transfer the owed currency from your funding account back to your trading account.
- Done when: After the transfer is completed, the liability is automatically deducted.
Case 3: You triggered forced liquidation instead of manually closing
If a liability remains after forced liquidation, it is usually because the market moved sharply and your position was sold at a very poor price during the forced liquidation. The sale proceeds were not enough to fully cover the loan. This is sometimes called a shortfall or negative balance. The forced-liquidation engine tries to sell in batches, but in extreme market conditions a negative balance may remain.
- Goal: Confirm whether the liability was caused by forced liquidation and check the fill price.
- How to check: Go to Order Center → Liquidation History and check the average fill price of this liquidation record. If the average fill price is far lower than expected, the liability was likely caused by a deficit from the liquidation.
- Done when: You find the liquidation record, confirm the fill price, and clearly identify the source of the liability.
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How to verify your debt is cleared
After the checks above, go back to the Assets page and look at the total amount in the "Liabilities" column. If it is 0, your loan has been fully repaid. If it is still a positive number, follow the instructions for your specific case and manually repay the remaining debt.
Interest on borrowed funds is charged hourly. The longer you wait, the more you will need to repay.
