Coinbase to introduce 24/7 Bitcoin and Ethereum futures trading

Coinbase has announced plans to offer 24/7 trading for Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) and Ethereum (CRYPTO:ETH) futures to U.S. residents, marking a significant expansion of its derivatives offerings.

The exchange aims to launch perpetual futures contracts with long expiration dates, providing traders with more flexibility and access to the crypto market.

The announcement was made on March 10, highlighting the current limitations faced by American traders who often have to navigate fixed trading hours and expiring contracts.

Coinbase noted that much of the crypto derivatives market occurs outside U.S. borders, leading to inefficiencies for local investors.

“For too long, the U.S. has been playing catch-up in crypto derivatives,” the company stated, emphasising the need for a regulated and accessible futures market.

Futures contracts allow traders to buy or sell assets at predetermined prices on specific dates.

Perpetual futures, however, do not have expiration dates, enabling continuous trading.

Coinbase is working closely with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to ensure regulatory compliance as it prepares to launch these new products.

The global crypto derivatives market reached a staggering $1.3 trillion in monthly trading volume as of September 2023, significantly surpassing the spot crypto market.

However, U.S. exchanges have faced challenges in offering competitive products due to regulatory uncertainties surrounding perpetual futures.

Coinbase’s entry into the 24/7 futures market will put it in direct competition with established players like the CME Group, which reported $6.1 billion in revenue from crypto derivatives in 2024 but operates on a limited trading schedule.

Additionally, Robinhood has also announced plans to offer Bitcoin and Ether futures, increasing competition in this space.  

 At the time of reporting, the Bitcoin (BTC) price was $79,591.89, and the Ethereum (ETH) price was $1,864.50.