Funding rates aren't just fees at all—they're the exchange's harvesting baton! When the rate is positive, longs send money to shorts; when it's negative, shorts subsidize longs. Once one side's rate skyrockets continuously, like exceeding 0.1%, that's basically shouting: "Get ready to harvest this side!" In real trading, when you see the rate exceed 0.1% three times in a row, don't fight it head-on. Counter-positioning often lets you catch the meat.