Coinbase Launches CFTC-Regulated Perpetual Futures in the U.S.

Coinbase Financial Markets has introduced perpetual futures trading to U.S users. The platform is the CFTC-regulated arm of the leading crypto exchange, Coinbase. It is the first occasion where American retail traders can trade regulated perpetual contracts that are free of monthly expirations. The launch includes nano Bitcoin and Ether futures, requires separate approval, and has already lifted Coinbase’s stock price.

Coinbase Breaks Barriers by Introducing Regulated Perpetual Futures for U.S. Traders

According to the Coinbase blog post, the new derivatives have no monthly expirations. Hence, traders can hold positions for up to five years. Users can also access intraday leverage of up to 10x for crypto contracts. For metals contracts like gold and silver, leverage goes up to 20x.

Trading fees start as low as 0.02% per contract, inclusive of exchange, clearing, and regulatory charges. A minimum charge of $0.15 per trade applies. These low fees position Coinbase as a competitive player in the U.S. derivatives landscape, which offshore platforms have traditionally dominated.

Coinbase added in its X post that it is bringing the power and efficiency of perpetual futures to a regulated American market for the first time. Currently, two contracts are available.

They are the nano Bitcoin Perpetual Futures (BTC-PERP) and nano Ether Perpetual Futures (ETH-PERP). The platform is accessible only to users with a verified Coinbase account and requires a separate application to open a derivatives account.

To begin trading, users must complete a brief approval process. This move follows an announcement by Coinbase last month to launch a futures product that will mirror the global perpetuals futures market.

Brian Armstrong Comments On The Launch

Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, confirmed the launch in an X post, calling it a major milestone for the company and the broader market. He emphasized that the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission fully regulates the futures offering.

Amid this launch, Coinbase shares were up by 1.95% rising to $427.98, according to TradingView data. The Coinbase stock reached a new all-time high (ATH) of $436 last week, prior to the signing of the GENIUS Act.

The signing of the Act is bullish for Coinbase since stablecoins form a major part of its operations. The stock is up over 8% in the last five days and up just over 40% in the last thirty days.