Key Takeaways
- Coinbase to offer perpetual futures trading to U.S. users starting July 21.
- Perpetuals were never officially banned, but regulations made access difficult.
- New CFTC-compliant platform signals broader access to advanced crypto products in the U.S.
After years of limited access and unofficial roadblocks, one of the most aggressive crypto trading tools—perpetual futures—is set to make a comeback for U.S. users.
Coinbase announced it will begin offering perpetual crypto futures trading to U.S. customers on its CFTC-approved platform, Coinbase Financial Markets (CFM), starting July 21.
It’s a major milestone, not just for Coinbase, but for the broader crypto derivatives landscape in the U.S.
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Coinbase Unlocks Perpetual Futures
Perpetual futures are a favorite among high-risk, high-reward crypto traders.
Unlike traditional futures, they don’t expire, allowing for open-ended positions. That makes them powerful, but risky.
Coinbase’s version isn’t quite the Wild West.
These new contracts will behave like perpetuals but carry a 5-year expiration, offering long-dated flexibility while staying within regulatory bounds.
- Up to 10x intraday leverage for crypto
- Up to 20x leverage for metals futures
- Initial contracts: Bitcoin and Ethereum
- Coming soon: XRP, Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA), and Hedera (HBAR) , and even non-crypto assets like gold and oil
The new offering follows Coinbase’s earlier launch of 24/7 Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) futures in May 2025—part of a broader strategy to bring advanced, regulated trading tools to American users.
Why This Matters: Global Demand vs. U.S. Caution
Globally, perpetual futures dominate crypto trading, accounting for nearly 90% of total volume.
However, in the U.S., strict regulations regarding leverage, anti-money laundering (AML), Know Your Customer (KYC), and custody created a vacuum.
Many U.S. traders resorted to offshore platforms—often at the cost of security and legal risk.
With Coinbase stepping in as a regulated U.S. alternative, that vacuum could finally start to close.
A Turning Point for U.S. Crypto Regulation?
This quiet return of perpetuals highlights a shift in how U.S. regulators—and firms like Coinbase—are approaching crypto derivatives.
With greater clarity from the CFTC, exchanges are moving confidently to bridge the gap between global and U.S. crypto markets.
It also signals that the post-ETF crypto infrastructure boom is well underway, with more advanced tools and products likely to follow.
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Prashant Jha is a seasoned crypto journalist based in Delhi, India, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science Engineering. Passionate about the evolving world of blockchain and cryptocurrencies, he has been a dedicated voice in the industry since 2018. Prashant’s expertise lies in regulatory reporting, where he unravels complex legal and financial developments with clarity and precision. Before joining CCN in 2024, he honed his craft at Cointelegraph, establishing himself as a trusted name in crypto journalism.
His coverage spans major industry events, including the high-profile collapses of FTX, Three Arrows Capital (3AC), and LUNA, offering readers insightful analyses of their regulatory and market implications. Prashant’s technical background enables him to bridge the gap between intricate blockchain technology and its real-world applications, making his work accessible to novices and experts.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Prashant is an avid music enthusiast, often exploring diverse genres to unwind. A sports lover, he has a particular passion for cricket and frequently engages in discussions about the game. His multifaceted interests and sharp journalistic instincts make him a valuable contributor to CCN, where he continues shaping the crypto landscape's narrative.
