Kraken Launches Crypto Perpetual Futures Trading in the US Through Kraken Pro

TLDR:

• Kraken now offers CFTC-regulated crypto perpetual futures directly to eligible US traders via Kraken Pro.
• The launch follows Kraken’s acquisition of Bitnomial, a licensed exchange and clearing platform.
• US traders gain access to BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP and several major crypto perpetual contracts.
• Growing CFTC approvals are accelerating the shift of crypto derivatives trading onshore.

Kraken has become more derivatives-focused in the U.S with the introduction of regulated crypto perpetual futures trading on Kraken Pro.

The roll-out comes after the exchange’s acquisition of Bitnomial, a wholly licensed derivatives exchange regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

The transfer opens up a highly sought-after digital asset product to eligible US traders. It is also a move that helps further the push to re-establish regulated domestic crypto derivatives platforms. 

Kraken Expands US Crypto Derivatives Offering With Perpetual Futures

A new product for eligible clients will enable them to trade perpetual futures contracts on the major cryptocurrencies. Perpetual contracts have no time limit and can be traded over the long term by traders.

The contracts are now available on Kraken Pro trading platform, in addition to spot markets, margin trading, and CME listed crypto futures, Kraken stated.  Users can manage all positions from a single trading interface.

The launch follows Kraken’s acquisition of Bitnomial in May. Bitnomial operates a CFTC-regulated exchange, clearinghouse, and brokerage business, providing the infrastructure needed for the new offering.

According to Kraken, the perpetual contracts are listed through Bitnomial and cleared through Kraken Derivatives US. The service operates under NinjaTrader Clearing, a registered Futures Commission Merchant.

Funding payments occur every eight hours. The mechanism helps keep perpetual futures prices aligned with the underlying spot market by balancing long and short positions.

At launch, traders can access contracts tied to BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, ADA, LINK, DOGE, LTC, and AVAX. Kraken indicated additional contracts and collateral options may follow over time.

CFTC Approval Drives Growth of Onshore Crypto Perpetual Trading

The launch comes as US regulators continue opening the door to domestic crypto derivatives products. Recent CFTC approvals have accelerated competition among regulated exchanges seeking to capture trading activity that historically flowed offshore.

Last month, the CFTC approved the first regulated Bitcoin perpetual futures contract in the United States through Kalshi. The same day, Coinbase received approval for long-dated crypto futures designed to replicate perpetual futures exposure.

Data cited by Kraken shows perpetual futures generated more than $60 trillion in trading volume during 2025. The contracts remain the dominant derivatives product across global crypto markets.

Kalshi’s Bitcoin perpetual contract reportedly surpassed $1 billion in trading volume shortly after launch. The activity highlighted strong demand from both retail and institutional participants for regulated perpetual products.

For years, many US traders relied on offshore platforms such as Binance and Bybit to access perpetual futures markets. Regulatory restrictions limited direct domestic alternatives despite growing demand for the product.

Kraken’s latest launch positions the exchange among a small group of regulated firms now offering US-based alternatives.

The company has steadily expanded its derivatives footprint, including support for CME crypto futures in 2025 and the recent rollout of margin trading services for eligible clients.

The addition of perpetual futures further broadens Kraken’s trading suite as competition intensifies across the regulated US crypto market.

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