> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.unlimited.trade/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.unlimited.trade/start-trading/or-unlimited-leverage-guide/creating-a-trade/collateral.md).

# Collateral

**Collateral** is the initial <mark style="color:blue;">**amount of money**</mark> you put in the leveraged trade, which is the <mark style="color:blue;">**maximum amount**</mark> you can potentially lose if the trade goes against your expectations.

<figure><img src="https://1947651740-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F1uLfyekHy32aCR2mnQIB%2Fuploads%2FCYmiQqgIG73KfE6lkyS1%2FCollateral.png?alt=media&amp;token=0deb7c33-86be-4ace-9349-6515e5c62ac4" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

You can <mark style="color:blue;">**choose to enter**</mark> your collateral in USD or as a percentage of your <mark style="color:blue;">**total wallet balance**</mark> using the <mark style="color:blue;">**buttons below**</mark>: **25%, 50%, 75%, or 100%.**