Coinbase to Offer First Round-the-Clock Crypto Futures in U.S.

Coinbase Derivatives is set to roll out the first 24/7 Bitcoin and Ethereum futures contracts available to U.S. traders, removing the weekend downtime that traditional markets impose.

The exchange, which is regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), also plans to introduce a new perpetual-style futures contract with long-term expirations.

Coinbase said that it will launch round-the-clock trading for Bitcoin and Ethereum futures “in the coming weeks.” Coinbase highlighted the limitations of fixed trading hours in U.S. futures markets, which often prevent traders from reacting to key market moves in real time.

Unlike offshore exchanges that already offer continuous trading, U.S.-regulated futures have gaps in availability. CME’s crypto futures, for example, take a daily one-hour break and remain closed from Friday afternoon until Sunday evening. Coinbase’s new offering will make it the first U.S.-regulated platform to offer uninterrupted futures trading.

The company is also finalizing the design of a perpetual-style futures contract that mirror offshore exchanges while complying with U.S. regulations. Coinbase said it has been working with the CFTC, partners, and market participants to ensure the product meets regulatory standards.

The cryptocurrency exchange also received the green light from the National Futures Association to operate as a futures commission merchant. Coinbase submitted its application to the association back in 2021.

The move comes as decentralized futures trading gains traction. Over the past six months, the share of futures trade volume on decentralized exchanges has been rising, with leading perpetuals exchange Hyperliquid hitting record-high volumes in January.

This regulatory approval enables Coinbase to grant U.S.-based investors access to the cryptocurrency derivatives market, an area that was previously inaccessible to them. Crypto derivatives constitute over 75% of global crypto trades, but due to their intricate nature and high-risk levels, they were largely off-limits for American investors. These financial tools allow traders to speculate on price movements without owning the actual underlying asset, such as a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin.