Kraken launches perpetual futures for US traders

• Kraken introduced CFTC-regulated perpetual futures trading for eligible US customers through its recently acquired Bitnomial platform.
• The launch expands Kraken's domestic derivatives offering and gives traders access to perpetual contracts tied to major cryptocurrencies.
• The move comes as US regulators and exchanges push to bring crypto derivatives trading onshore from offshore venues.

Kraken introduced perpetual futures trading for eligible US customers through Bitnomial, expanding its regulated derivatives business following the acquisition of the exchange in April.

The launch follows Kraken's addition of CME-listed crypto futures in July 2025 and comes as US regulators move toward establishing a framework for perpetual futures products.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chair Michael Selig said: “The CFTC’s approval of the KalshiEX BTCPERP is not the end of the regulatory story; it is the beginning.”

The new contracts are available through Kraken Pro and cover Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC), Ethereum (CRYPTO:ETH), Solana (CRYPTO:SOL), XRP (CRYPTO:XRP), Cardano (CRYPTO:ADA), Chainlink (CRYPTO:LINK), Dogecoin (CRYPTO:DOGE), Litecoin (CRYPTO:LTC) and Avalanche (CRYPTO:AVAX).

Kraken said perpetual futures generated more than US$60 trillion in global trading volume during 2025 and have historically been concentrated on offshore venues; following the announcement there was no immediate market reaction tied to the launch.

Parent company Payward acquired Bitnomial in April and announced plans in May to offer Commodity Futures Trading Commission-regulated perpetual futures to US traders.

The launch follows similar moves by US exchanges including Coinbase and Kalshi as regulators and market participants work to expand domestic access to crypto derivatives products.

At the time of reporting, Bitcoin price was $66,182.86.