Kraken Plans CFTC-Regulated Perpetual Futures for Eligible U.S. Traders

Kraken said it intends to launch CFTC-regulated perpetual futures for eligible U.S. traders within 30 days, offering what it describes as the first domestically regulated perpetual futures product in the U.S. crypto market. The contracts are expected to be listed on Bitnomial, a CFTC-regulated Designated Contract Market that is owned by Payward, Kraken's parent company. The initial lineup is set to include BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, ADA, LINK, DOGE, LTC and AVAX. Perpetual futures are a cornerstone of global crypto derivatives trading, allowing traders to maintain directional exposure without an expiration date. Positions are managed through a funding mechanism designed to keep prices aligned with the underlying spot market, rather than requiring traders to roll dated futures contracts. Kraken said the products will be offered through NinjaTrader Clearing, LLC, doing business as Kraken Derivatives US, a CFTC-registered Futures Commission Merchant. The firm expects the contracts to be accessible in Kraken Pro alongside spot, margin and CME-listed futures, aiming to give eligible U.S. clients a more consolidated trading interface. John Palmer, Kraken's Global Head of Derivatives, said U.S. traders have been waiting for a regulated, domestic pathway to the product that underpins global crypto derivatives markets. Kraken cited more than $60 trillion in global annual perpetual futures trading volume in 2025, underscoring the scale of activity that has largely been concentrated on offshore venues. The company said the contracts will feature continuous pricing, no expiration date and an eight-hour funding rate. Kraken did not provide a specific launch date and did not fully detail all eligibility requirements for U.S. clients, suggesting access may not be immediately universal. This report is based on Kraken's official announcement.