Futures and margin trading are two popular techniques among crypto traders, but they have some significant differences.
Futures trading is a contract where a buyer agrees to buy an underlying asset at a predetermined price and time, while the seller agrees to sell the asset at the same price and time. When it comes to cryptocurrency futures trading, the underlying asset is usually Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other cryptocurrencies.
On the other hand, margin trading is a way to borrow money to increase the trading position beyond the trader's capital. In margin trading, the trader borrows additional funds from a broker to trade a position larger than his account balance. As you mentioned, there are additional costs involved in this type of trading, such as interest charges.
Both futures and margin trading carry higher risks and can lead to significant losses if not appropriately managed. It's important to have a solid understanding of the mechanics of each trading method and to use them cautiously while implementing proper risk management strategies.