What is Kraken planning to launch in the US?

Kraken plans to launch CFTC-regulated Bitcoin perpetual futures contracts for US institutional clients within the next 30 days. The move follows regulatory approval that allows these popular crypto derivatives to be offered under US oversight.

What are Bitcoin perpetual futures contracts?

Bitcoin perpetual futures are derivatives that let traders speculate on Bitcoin's price without an expiry date. They are among the most widely traded crypto products globally because they allow traders to maintain positions indefinitely while using leverage.

Why is Kraken's planned Bitcoin perpetual futures launch important?

The launch could bring a large segment of crypto derivatives trading back under US regulation. For years, most perpetual futures activity occurred on offshore exchanges due to regulatory restrictions in the United States.

How does Kraken plan to offer regulated Bitcoin perpetual futures?

Kraken expects to list the contracts through Bitnomial Exchange, a CFTC-regulated trading venue recently acquired by its parent company, Payward. The acquisition was designed to expand Kraken's presence in crypto derivatives.

What role does Bitnomial play in Kraken's strategy?

Bitnomial provides Kraken with a regulated exchange infrastructure for futures trading. By owning a CFTC-regulated venue, Kraken can potentially offer products that previously operated mainly outside US regulatory frameworks.

How is Coinbase responding to the new US perpetual futures market?

Coinbase Financial Markets has already moved to provide institutional clients with access to global crypto options and perpetual futures through Deribit. This creates immediate competition as major exchanges race to capture market share in regulated crypto derivatives.

Why are crypto exchanges competing so aggressively in perpetual futures?

Perpetual futures are among the most profitable and liquid products in crypto trading. Bringing these contracts onshore could unlock significant revenue opportunities while attracting institutional investors seeking regulated trading venues.

What did CFTC Chairman Michael Selig say about crypto perpetual futures?

Michael Selig said the key issue was not whether crypto perpetual contracts would exist, but whether they would operate under American oversight and legal standards. His comments suggest regulators prefer bringing existing demand into regulated markets rather than pushing activity offshore.

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Kraken eyes US Bitcoin perps after CFTC shift

Written by Jon CuthbertPublished Jun. 1 2026Last Updated Jun. 1 2026

Kraken said it expects to launch CFTC-regulated Bitcoin perpetual futures contracts for US institutional clients within the next month following the Commodity Futures Trading Commission's approval of the instruments.

The contracts are expected to be listed on Bitnomial Exchange, a CFTC-regulated venue acquired by Kraken parent company Payward in a deal announced in April worth up to $550 million.

“Today's announcement sets in motion plans to bring that activity onshore through a CFTC-regulated venue,”

Kraken said in a statement outlining its intentions for the US market.

The move follows years in which perpetual futures trading was largely conducted on offshore crypto exchanges due to regulatory restrictions in the United States.

Kraken said a filing related to the planned offering had been submitted on Friday, although no public filing for a specific Bitcoin perpetual futures contract was visible among Bitnomial's recent CFTC submissions as of Sunday.

Competition in the newly approved market is already intensifying after Coinbase Financial Markets announced access to global crypto options and perpetual futures through Deribit shortly after the CFTC approval was granted.

CFTC Chairman Michael Selig said the key issue was not whether crypto perpetual contracts would exist but whether they would operate under American regulatory oversight and legal standards.

The approval follows a joint effort by the CFTC and the US Securities and Exchange Commission to explore bringing perpetual futures trading onshore, while recent guidance from CFTC staff suggested crypto derivatives may be particularly suited to round-the-clock trading, clearing and settlement markets.

At the time of reporting, Bitcoin price was $73,649.38.