Coinbase introduces 24/7 bitcoin and ethereum futures
Coinbase Derivatives, a CFTC-regulated futures exchange, is rolling out 24/7 trading and perpetual futures for Bitcoin and Ethereum — exclusively for U.S. customers — as it looks to tap into the largest crypto market in the world: the United States.
In their announcement, Coinbase stated: “US futures markets operate within fixed trading hours – out of sync with the 24/7 nature of crypto. This forces traders to sit on the sidelines during key market moves, limiting their ability to react in real time. With the launch of 24/7 access to Bitcoin and Ethereum futures, we’re eliminating this gap.”
According to the company’s release, perpetual futures offer several benefits, including the ability to “maintain positions without worrying about contract expirations, enabling long-term strategy execution,” and doing so “without relying on offshore alternatives.” This development also helps “close the gap for U.S. traders,” as “global markets already offer perpetual futures.”
Many offshore-based crypto exchanges, like Binance, OKX, and HTX, do not allow US citizens to register and trade through their platforms due to Securities and Exchange Commission restrictions under the Securities Act of 1933.
Crypto derivatives account for around 75% of total trading volume. However, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which oversees U.S. derivatives markets, did not approve major global exchanges, including Binance, BitMEX, KuCoin, and Deribit. These platforms are popular for offering 24/7 trading, perpetual futures, and a wide range of low-fee, flexible derivatives to suit enhanced trading strategies.
Bringing similar opportunities to the U.S. market will definitely attract more investors, increase market liquidity, and potentially drive new all-time heights for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP, all of which are set to be part of the new U.S. Strategic Crypto Reserve. Tools like real-time crypto heatmaps are becoming increasingly valuable for traders seeking to monitor momentum and capitalize on shifts in the market as they happen.
Cryptocurrencies are not bound by any particular country or regulation; they are designed to create global financial access. However, current U.S. regulations designed for ordinary exchanges might be outdated. In today’s world, where trading can happen anywhere—even from a smartphone at the South Pole — these restrictions feel increasingly out of touch.
The U.S. crypto market has developed in a restrictive environment that can hardly be called a free market. While the goal has been to promote stability and transparency, the outdated framework has become too rigid to meet real-time requirements.
However, some exchanges have managed to operate within these limits. Coinbase stands out, with a market cap of approximately $70 billion. For comparison, Kraken — the second-largest U.S. exchange — has a $10 billion valuation, while Gemini is valued at $7 billion.
Rigorous regulations and constant battles with the previous administration have made launching new products in the U.S. challenging. Former SEC Chair Gary Gensler, a long-time crypto skeptic, has now been replaced by Mark T. Uyeda. In a January 2025 press release, the SEC announced the launch of “a crypto task force dedicated to developing a comprehensive and clear regulatory framework for crypto assets.” Progress is already visible.
Since taking office, Trump has pushed to rebuild American wealth, and his initiatives are starting to bear fruit. Notably, the creation of the U.S. Crypto Reserve came without any additional tax burden on U.S. citizens. Another key milestone was the Crypto Summit, held just last week, which included Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong among its attendees. Coinbase launching new products could unlock wealth-building opportunities across the country.