Coinbase Plans US Regulated Perpetual-Style Crypto Futures Launch

Coinbase is launching U.S. Perpetual-Style Futures on July 21, providing a regulated domestic alternative to the widely used but riskier offshore perpetual futures markets. These new contracts, available in nano Bitcoin (0.01 BTC) and nano Ethereum (0.10 ETH), will feature five-year expirations, 24/7 trading, and an hourly funding rate mechanism to keep futures prices closely aligned with spot prices. This move aims to address regulatory, custody, and counterparty risks faced by U.S. traders who currently rely on offshore exchanges. Coinbase highlights that perpetual futures dominate global crypto derivatives trading, representing over 90% of volume, and sees this launch as a transformative milestone for U.S. market access and innovation. The contracts are designed to offer capital efficiency, flexibility in position sizing, and long-term strategy execution within U.S. legal frameworks. Additionally, Coinbase recently obtained a MiCA license from Luxembourg, enabling European operations, signaling broader regulatory compliance efforts.