Coinbase to introduce 24/7 Bitcoin and Ethereum futures for U.S. traders
Coinbase to introduce 24/7 Bitcoin and Ethereum futures for U.S. traders
In an effort to meet the evolving needs of cryptocurrency traders, Coinbase is set to launch 24/7 Bitcoin and Ethereum futures trading for U.S.-based users in the coming weeks.
This move marks a significant step in closing the gap between traditional futures markets, which are bound by fixed trading hours, and the continuous nature of the cryptocurrency market. Coinbase's new offering, provided through its CFTC-regulated Coinbase Derivatives exchange, will eliminate the weekend downtime that has long hampered U.S. traders' ability to react to market movements in real time.
A new era for U.S. crypto futures markets
Currently, U.S. futures markets, such as those provided by the CME, operate within fixed hours, with gaps from Friday afternoon to Sunday evening. Coinbase’s 24/7 futures trading will be the first of its kind on a U.S.-regulated exchange, aligning with the constant activity seen on offshore platforms that have long been offering continuous futures contracts. Along with this, Coinbase is working on a "first-of-its-kind" perpetual-style futures contract with long-dated expirations, pushing further into the unregulated offshore exchange space.
This innovation positions Coinbase to compete more effectively with other crypto exchanges that offer these continuous products, ensuring that U.S. traders are no longer sidelined during key market moves. Coinbase has been collaborating with the CFTC, partners, and market participants to ensure that the new products comply with regulatory standards while meeting market demands.
A shift toward decentralized trading
The move comes as decentralized exchanges (DEXs) are seeing a growing share of the futures trading market. DEXs, particularly Hyperliquid, which saw record volumes in January, have led the charge in perpetual futures trading. Coinbase’s new offerings aim to blend the reliability of U.S. regulation with the round-the-clock liquidity of decentralized trading, marking a transformative shift in how futures trading is conducted in the crypto market.
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