"Funding Rates" are the fees exchanged periodically between long and short positions in perpetual contracts, aiming to keep the contract price closely aligned with the actual spot market price. In simple terms, when the rate is "positive," it indicates a bullish market sentiment, with longs paying fees to shorts; conversely, when the rate turns "negative," it signifies a bearish mood in the market, and shorts must pay fees to longs, which also means that most funds are betting on the price of the coin to decline.