How to maximize the efficiency of using Gate contract points? A complete guide from a 15-day validity period to airdrop arbitrage

When trading contracts on Gate, every opening and closing position not only results in profit or loss but also silently accumulates an invisible form of wealth—Gate Contract Points. This incentive system, launched in October 2025, has already distributed over 264,000 users with airdrops worth approximately 3.7 million USDT.

However, many people only see it as “something you can exchange for stuff,” and even overlook the rules, causing their points to quietly reset to zero. Restrictions like inability to withdraw, a 15-day validity period, and FIFO consumption are not meant to inconvenience users but are part of Gate’s sophisticated “behavior quantification” game.

The “Underlying Logic” of Points: They’re not money, but more “valuable” than money

First, a core concept must be clarified: Gate Contract Points cannot be directly withdrawn or transferred. Essentially, they are a type of “rights certificate.”

This means hoarding points is pointless. Their value lies in redemption—especially for resources that are difficult to buy directly with fiat currency—such as early airdrops of popular projects, high-value position experience vouchers, and priority subscription rights for TGE. Data shows that a single account’s total rewards from redeeming points for airdrops have exceeded 2,600 USDT.

Efficient “Point Earning”: Three main channels plus a new variable in 2026

To maximize efficiency, you need enough “ammunition.” Points are mainly earned through three channels, but savvy players know how to “kill three birds with one stone.”

Contract Trading: The Most Direct Productivity

This is the core source of points. The rules are straightforward: completing $400 USDT in contract trading volume earns 1 point.

• Example: Trading volume of $40,000 USDT in a day grants you 100 points the next day; reaching $400,000 USDT yields 1,000 points.
• Strategy: Don’t blindly leverage more just to farm points. Use contract grid bots or copy trading to automatically maintain trading frequency in volatile markets, letting the bots “produce” points steadily.

Asset Holdings: A Stable “Lying Down and Earning” Source

As long as you hold positions, Gate awards points daily. The system snapshots your USDT and BTC assets in your contract account each day and grants points accordingly.

• 100–1,000 USDT: 1 point/day
• 1,000–10,000 USDT: 2 points/day
• 10,000–100,000 USDT: 3 points/day
• ≥100,000 USDT: 4 points/day

Inviting Friends: Social Viral Leverage

Successfully inviting new users to trade contracts also earns you points, an effective way to amplify your gains.

Major Upgrade in 2026: Inclusion of TradFi Trading Data

This is the biggest recent variable! Starting February 9, 2026, trading volume and account balances from Gate’s TradFi products (like gold, forex, stock indices) will be officially included in the points calculation.

• Bonus: Trading gold or forex on Gate will count 20% of your trading volume as effective contract trading volume. This means even in a bear market with low crypto volatility, you can still accumulate contract points through diversified asset allocation.

Advanced “Usage”: Spend points where it counts

Once you’ve earned points, how to spend them most profitably? Different redemption scenarios offer different expected returns.

High Certainty: Direct Token Exchange (GT / GUSD)

This is the safest “cash-out” path. Convert points directly into platform tokens GT or stablecoin GUSD, which then become assets you can freely withdraw.

• Example: In the 76th airdrop, users spent 15 points to get 3 GT; in the 77th, points could be exchanged for 25 GUSD.

High Growth Potential: Target Popular Project Airdrops

This is the most imaginative use of points. Redeeming points for new project token airdrops often yields outsized returns.

• Example: Historically, some users exchanged 130 points for 10,000 PUMP or 120 points for 460 DEEP, assets with huge growth potential afterward.

Practical Use: Redeem for Position Experience Vouchers

If you want to test new trading strategies or add margin, USDT position experience vouchers are ideal. For example, spending 40 points to get a $100 USDT experience voucher, with profits generated during simulated trading usually withdrawable.

The Mandatory “15-Day Validity” Rule

Ignoring this part could make all your previous gains worthless.

Gate’s contract points have a harsh rule: each point issued is valid for only 15 days, and consumption follows FIFO.

This means:

• Don’t just look at total points: your points page might show 200 points, but 150 of those could expire in 3 days. If you don’t use them first, they’ll vanish after 3 days, leaving only 50.
• The system does not send reminders: Gate won’t push notifications about expiring points, so checking manually is your only safeguard.

Solutions:

1. Weekly Check: Once a week, open the Gate app -> tap your avatar top-left -> “Contract Points” -> check “Expiring Soon.”
2. Plan Rolling Usage: Don’t try to “save up big.” Use a 5–7 day cycle to clear near-expiry points.
3. Regular Redemption: Make exchanging points part of your routine, not just occasional activity. If your points remain unused after 10 days, consider immediately converting to GUSD or GT to lock in value.

Pitfall Avoidance: Three red lines you must never cross

1. Non-transferability: Points are strictly bound to your UID. Attempting to transfer to friends or outside exchanges is unsupported and may trigger risk controls.
2. Invalid transactions: Self-trading, wash trading, API abuse, etc., do not count toward points, and any points already awarded may be reclaimed.
3. Account type restrictions: Market maker accounts, sub-accounts, and certain other account types do not participate in points accrual.

Summary

Gate Contract Points form a carefully designed incentive ecosystem. They reward activity and penalize neglect. To maximize their utility, the key is: turn your trading actions into real assets within 15 days.

Whether through contract trading, holding USDT, or leveraging the latest TradFi products, remember:

1. Earn through multiple channels;
2. Choose tokens or airdrops to “swap into” based on risk appetite;
3. Spend before the 15-day deadline.

Start now—integrate points management into your trading SOP. Spending just 30 seconds weekly to check expiring points can help you outperform 90% of holders.