Spot Trading P&L: Unrealized Gains vs. Net Sale Proceeds

An unrealized gain estimates the change in value of an asset you still hold. A realized trading result relates to a completed sale. Neither a green percentage nor the quoted market price tells you exactly how much you will receive after execution and costs.

Start with a transparent example

Suppose you buy 2 units of a fictional asset at 100 USDT each, paying 200 USDT before fees. A screen later values each unit at 110 USDT. The gross unrealized gain is 2 × (110 − 100) = 20 USDT.

That estimate assumes a reference price of 110 USDT. It is not a completed sale, a guaranteed executable quote or a promise of withdrawable profit. Different screens may use different reference prices and cost conventions.

Follow the actual fills

You sell both units at an average executed price of 109 USDT. Gross sale proceeds are 218 USDT, and gross trading profit is 18 USDT. If the illustrative purchase fee is 1 USDT and the sale fee is 1 USDT, net proceeds are 217 USDT against a total purchase outlay of 201 USDT. The net result is 16 USDT.

These invented fees are teaching assumptions, not OrangeX.com rates. If fees are charged in the purchased asset or another token, reconcile the actual quantities and convert costs consistently. Withdrawal costs and taxes, where applicable, are separate from this simplified calculation.

A partial sale leaves two components in your records

If you sell only 1 of the 2 units at 109 USDT, you have proceeds from 1 unit and an unsold holding of 1 unit. Do not count the unsold unit's changing value as another completed sale. Allocate purchase costs consistently when reviewing your own records; tax accounting depends on local rules and is outside this example.

Reconcile instead of guessing

Check filled quantity, average execution price, fee amount, fee currency and remaining balance. An order can fill across multiple prices. Compare the order's fills with the account ledger, rather than assuming the original order size all traded at the last displayed price.

Explore the learning library in OrangeX.com Academy. Compare mechanisms in the spot trading area, and inspect product availability and quotes through markets. These navigation links do not recommend a trade or establish availability in your region.

Common questions

Is an unrealized gain safe to spend?

No. It can shrink or turn into a loss before a sale. Available balances and withdrawal conditions are separate checks.

Does a sale price above my entry guarantee a net profit?

No. Fees, actual received quantities and other costs can change the result.

Why does my result differ from the screen?

Check reference price, cost basis, fill timing and included fees. Preserve transaction records and investigate unexplained differences before trading again.