The paper profit or loss on an open trading position that has not yet been closed or settled. Unrealised PnL fluctuates in real time with market price movements and only becomes realised when the position is actually closed. Traders monitor unrealised PnL to manage risk, make decisions about adding to or reducing positions, and assess the overall health of their portfolio.
Example
“The trader's long Bitcoin position showed an unrealised PnL of +$3,200 as the price climbed from their $42,000 entry to $45,200.”