Kraken Taps Bitnomial Deal to Unlock CFTC-Regulated Crypto Perpetual Futures in US

Kraken has launched CFTC-regulated perpetual futures in the United States, expanding its domestic derivatives offering and giving eligible clients access to one of the most widely traded crypto products through a regulated venue.

In April this year, Kraken’s parent company Payward agreed to acquire US crypto derivatives firm Bitnomial, which holds all three required CFTC licences for a vertically integrated derivatives business. The deal is valued at up to $550 million, with its regulatory footprint seen as a key strategic factor.

US Crypto Perpetuals Go Onshore

The exchange said eligible US clients can now trade perpetual futures on Kraken Pro, where the contracts sit alongside spot, margin, and CME-listed crypto futures in a single interface.

Perpetual futures are derivative contracts that track the price of an underlying asset without expiry or settlement. Unlike traditional futures, they can remain open indefinitely, allowing traders to maintain leveraged long or short exposure without rolling positions forward.

Kraken said perpetual futures generated more than $60 trillion in annual trading volume in 2025, making them the dominant product in global crypto derivatives markets. Regulated access in the US has remained limited, with most activity taking place on offshore platforms.

US perpetual futures are live on Kraken Pro.16 contracts. No-expiration. Trade 24/7.Go long, go short, hedge your holdings.CFTC-regulated, end-to-end through Kraken.The wait is over. https://t.co/49yfJXr9Ie pic.twitter.com/jktJZjbnNA

Kraken Expands US Derivatives Platform

At launch, contracts cover major cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, Cardano, Chainlink, Dogecoin, Litecoin, and Avalanche. The company said it plans to expand the range of contracts and collateral options over time.

Darius Tabatabai, Head of Kraken Pro, said US traders have been waiting for “a regulated, domestic way” to access crypto perpetual futures, which now sit alongside spot and futures on Kraken Pro. He added that Bitnomial’s “regulated infrastructure” enabled the launch and US market access.

The rollout follows Kraken’s earlier US expansion into CME-listed futures in July 2025 and margin trading earlier this month. The products are offered through NinjaTrader Clearing, LLC, a CFTC-registered Futures Commission Merchant.