Bitcoin will soon begin being offered on futures market.
Understanding futures
As futures begin to be traded you need to be sure you understand them fully, and if you aren't an experienced future/options trader, you should do several paper trades before investing.
These future contracts will be cash settled meaning, you will either have gained or lost against futures price.Upon settlement date the cash difference between futures price will be transferred to or from your account.
For example
You agree to purchase 1 bitcoin for 15,000$ on chosen expiry date. Upon expiry date bitcoin is 16,000$. The person who agreed to sell at 15,000$ will now be deducted 1,000$ which will be credited to you.
Converseley, you agree to purchase at 15,000$ and the price upon expiry is 14,000$ your account will be deducted 1,000$ which will be credited to the seller.
A single future contract will be for 1 whole bitcoin. Required margin will be somewhere around 40% price of bitcoin. Some are saying the margin requirements should be higher. In my opinion, they will differ slightly depending on exchange, and margin requirements will be raised as time goes by, until volitilty is calmed.
The soonest expiry date for future bitcoin contracts will be Jan 17 2018.