Coinbase, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, has announced plans to roll out 24/7 futures trading for Bitcoin and Ethereum on its CFTC-regulated Coinbase Derivatives platform. The new feature is set to launch ‘in the coming weeks’ and will help bridge the gap between traditional trading hours and the round-the-clock nature of the crypto market.
Currently, futures markets in the US operate within fixed trading hours, which is not in line with the crypto market’s 24/7 operations. This discrepancy often sidelines traders during significant market movements, limiting their ability to respond in real time.
The new offering from Coinbase will ensure parity with offshore exchanges that already provide 24/7 futures trading, thereby eliminating the gaps caused by traditional market hours. This offering is a first for a U.S.-regulated exchange.
In addition to this, Coinbase is also in the process of developing a unique, ‘perpetual-style’ futures contract with extended expirations. This move is intended to further bridge the gap with offshore exchanges not registered with US regulators.
Coinbase has been collaborating closely with the CFTC, partners, and market participants to finalize the design and ensure that the product meets both regulatory requirements and client needs.
Over the past six months, the volume of futures trading on decentralized exchanges has grown compared to centralized exchanges, according to data from The Block. Hyperliquid, a leading decentralized perpetual futures exchange, reported a record volume in January.
Disclaimer: The Block is an independently operated media outlet delivering news, research, and data. Foresight Ventures, a majority investor in The Block, also invests in other firms in the crypto space. Crypto exchange Bitget is an anchor LP for Foresight Ventures. The Block remains committed to delivering unbiased, impactful, and timely information about the crypto industry.