The cryptocurrency landscape in the United States is set for a significant transformation as Coinbase Derivatives prepares to launch two new U.S. Perpetual-Style Futures on July 21, 2025. These innovative financial instruments aim to provide American traders with a secure, compliant, and accessible alternative to offshore crypto derivatives platforms—many of which operate without regulatory oversight.
Designed with U.S. market needs in mind, these futures contracts will offer institutional and retail traders alike a regulated environment to hedge positions, manage risk, and leverage exposure to major digital assets like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).
👉 Discover how regulated crypto futures can transform your trading strategy today.
What Are Perpetual-Style Futures?
Perpetual futures are a type of derivative contract that allows traders to speculate on the price of an asset without owning it. Unlike traditional futures, they do not have fixed expiration dates—hence the term "perpetual." Instead, they use a funding rate mechanism to align the contract price with the underlying spot market.
These contracts have become incredibly popular in global crypto markets, accounting for up to 90% of daily trading volume on some exchanges. Their 24/7 availability, embedded leverage, and real-time price tracking make them ideal for active traders seeking flexibility and efficiency.
Until now, many U.S.-based traders have been forced to turn to unregulated offshore platforms to access perpetual futures—exposing themselves to counterparty risk, legal uncertainty, and limited consumer protections.
Coinbase's new offering changes that paradigm by bringing spot price-tracking, leverage-enabled, and CFTC-regulated perpetual-style futures directly to American users.
Introducing Nano Bitcoin and Nano Ether Futures
The two new contracts launching on July 21 are:
- Nano Bitcoin Perpetual Futures – representing 0.01 BTC
- Nano Ether Perpetual Futures – representing 0.10 ETH
These "nano" contracts are designed to be highly accessible, allowing smaller investors to gain leveraged exposure without needing large capital outlays. The reduced contract size lowers entry barriers while maintaining precise price correlation with the spot markets.
Despite being labeled "perpetual-style," these futures will have five-year expirations, combining long-term stability with the benefits of continuous trading. They will be available 24/7, reflecting the always-on nature of cryptocurrency markets.
Funding rates—used to keep contract prices aligned with spot values—will be calculated hourly and settled twice daily, ensuring minimal divergence and transparent pricing mechanics.
Why This Matters for U.S. Crypto Traders
For years, U.S. traders have faced a difficult choice: either forgo access to high-demand derivatives or navigate risky, unregulated foreign exchanges. This gap has long been seen as a major disadvantage compared to more open markets in Asia and Europe.
Coinbase’s move addresses this imbalance head-on by delivering:
- Regulatory compliance: Operated under CFTC oversight, ensuring investor protection and market integrity.
- Market accessibility: Smaller contract sizes open doors for retail participation.
- Risk management tools: Embedded leverage and funding mechanisms support sophisticated trading strategies.
- 24/7 trading: Matches the global, non-stop rhythm of crypto markets.
Coinbase has called this launch a "transformative milestone" for U.S. crypto trading, signaling a new era of innovation, accessibility, and regulatory alignment.
Expanding Beyond U.S. Borders: Coinbase’s EU Ambitions
This U.S. launch follows closely on the heels of another major development: Coinbase recently secured a MiCA license in Luxembourg. This authorization allows the company to operate across all 27 European Union member states under a unified regulatory framework.
Previously, crypto firms had to obtain separate licenses in countries like Germany, France, and Italy—a time-consuming and costly process. With MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation), Coinbase can now scale its services efficiently across Europe, serving approximately 450 million people with compliant products.
This strategic expansion underscores Coinbase’s dual focus: strengthening its domestic presence while building a truly global footprint in regulated crypto finance.
👉 See how global crypto regulations are shaping the future of digital asset trading.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are perpetual futures?
Perpetual futures are derivative contracts that allow traders to bet on the price of an asset without expiration dates. They use funding rates to stay aligned with spot prices and are widely used in crypto due to their flexibility and leverage options.
Are these futures fully compliant with U.S. regulations?
Yes. These perpetual-style futures will be offered through Coinbase Derivatives, a CFTC-regulated entity, ensuring adherence to U.S. financial laws and investor protection standards.
Can retail investors trade these contracts?
Absolutely. With nano-sized contracts (0.01 BTC and 0.10 ETH), these futures are designed specifically to accommodate retail participation, lowering capital requirements while maintaining precision and liquidity.
How is this different from trading on offshore exchanges?
Offshore platforms often lack transparency, regulatory oversight, and legal recourse for U.S. users. Coinbase’s solution offers the same functionality—leverage, 24/7 trading, funding mechanisms—but within a secure, regulated U.S. framework.
When will more details about access be released?
Coinbase has stated it will share further information soon regarding partner integrations and how traders can access these futures through approved channels.
Do these contracts support leverage?
Yes. The contracts include embedded leverage capabilities, enabling traders to amplify their exposure—similar to global perpetual markets—but within regulated limits to promote responsible trading.
The Road Ahead for Regulated Crypto Derivatives
Coinbase’s launch represents more than just a new product—it’s a signal of maturation in the U.S. crypto ecosystem. By bridging the gap between innovation and compliance, the company is paving the way for broader adoption of digital asset derivatives among institutional investors, hedge funds, and everyday traders.
As regulatory clarity improves and infrastructure evolves, we can expect increased demand for secure, transparent, and scalable crypto-native financial products.
With both U.S. and EU regulatory frameworks now supporting its expansion, Coinbase is positioning itself at the forefront of the global shift toward regulated digital finance—where security, accessibility, and innovation go hand in hand.
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