CBOE Global Markets announced plans to launch Bitcoin and Ethereum continuous futures contracts on Nov. 10, pending regulatory review.

According to a Sept. 9 announcement, the new product suite debuts on CBOE Futures Exchange with contracts structured as single, long-dated instruments featuring 10-year expirations.

This design eliminates periodic rolling requirements that characterize traditional futures contracts, simplifying position management for traders seeking long-term digital asset exposure.

The continuous futures will be cash-settled and aligned to real-time spot market prices through daily cash adjustments using a transparent funding rate methodology.

CBOE Clear US, a derivatives clearing organization regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), will clear the contracts within the exchange’s regulated framework.

Global head of derivatives at CBOE, Catherine Clay, said the launch brings perpetual-style utility that gained adoption in offshore markets to US traders.

She noted that the products target institutional participants, existing Cboe Futures Exchange (CFE) customers, and retail traders seeking access to crypto derivatives.

Regulatory opening

The announcement coincides with increased regulatory coordination between the SEC and CFTC, which will hold a joint roundtable on Sept. 29 to advance digital asset oversight harmonization.

The agencies acknowledged in a Sept. 5 statement that fragmented regulation had discouraged innovation and driven crypto activity overseas.

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SEC Chairman Paul Atkins and CFTC Acting Chairman Caroline Pham emphasized that coordination failures created uncertainty, hindering economic activity even for legally permissible products.

The regulators stressed that harmonization can lower barriers, improve efficiency, and reaffirm US leadership in financial markets.

The Sept. 29 roundtable will examine measures to align US markets with the global economy, including expanded trading hours, frameworks for perpetual contracts, and portfolio margining coordination.

The agencies plan to review exemptions providing safe harbors for decentralized finance projects while maintaining investor protection standards.

CBOE’s continuous futures launch builds on the exchange’s expanding CFE product suite, which includes VIX futures and products based on equity volatility, crypto, and global fixed income.

The introduction represents a step toward onshoring compliant perpetual swap trading that currently operates primarily on offshore platforms.

CBOE’s Options Institute will host public educational courses on continuous futures on Oct. 30 and Nov. 20 to prepare market participants for the new contracts.

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MEXC, one of the world’s fastest-growing cryptocurrency exchanges, reported record growth in the second quarter of 2025 after rolling out a zero-fee campaign on high-demand futures pairs.

The bold strategy, designed to reduce barriers to entry and capture market momentum, comes as the broader digital asset market continues to embrace stablecoins amid broader crypto adoption.

Zero-Fee Push Aligns with Market Focus

According to the CoinGecko Q2 2025 Crypto Industry Report, the total cryptocurrency market capitalization rose 24% quarter-on-quarter, while the stablecoin market hit an all-time high of $243.1B. $USDC expanded by $1.4B in circulation, highlighting investor appetite for compliant, dollar-backed assets.

MEXC seized on the trend by eliminating trading fees on selected $USDC-margined futures pairs. The initiative gave traders cost-free access to fast-growing markets while positioning the exchange at the center of the industry’s shifting narrative.

By zeroing in on where the liquidity was flowing and removing cost friction, MEXC amplified user participation and market depth across key pairs.

Winners Among Trading Pairs

The exchange’s campaign produced notable winners across both mainstream and emerging assets:

• $TON/$USDC captured 42% market share in its category.
• $ETH/$USDT, the flagship mainstream trading pair, secured a 33% share.
• $ONDO/$USDC and $POPCAT/$USDC each posted more than 5% market share gains.

The results underscored how MEXC’s mix of blue-chip tokens, infrastructure plays, and high-risk meme coins allowed the platform to serve a broad spectrum of trading appetites.

$ETH and $TON attracted institutional-minded investors, while $POPCAT drew in speculative retail traders and meme coin degens chasing volatility.

From Meme Frenzy to Mainstream Focus

The strong quarterly performance also reflected a broader pivot in market psychology. In the first quarter, the meme coin market profited from tokens like Dogwifhat, Brett, and Book of Meme surging in popularity.

But as US regulators passed crypto-friendly rules and fostered a more welcoming blockchain framework, investors redirected their attention to infrastructure upgrades, DeFi applications, and regulatory-friendly assets in Q2.

MEXC’s zero-fee campaign mirrored this change in sentiment. By offering cost-free access to sectors aligned with the new narrative, the exchange effectively turned user preference into trading volume.

Building a Foundation for Long-Term Growth

The zero-fee initiative not only lowered trading costs but also created a feedback loop of higher participation, deeper liquidity, and growing market share.

The campaign laid the groundwork for the exchange’s next phase of expansion, particularly in futures markets where competition among global platforms remains fierce.

With over 40M users spanning 170 countries, MEXC has built a reputation as one of the industry’s most accessible exchanges. The platform frequently lists trending tokens, provides promotional airdrops, and maintains one of the lowest fee structures in the sector.

Its focus on simplicity – under the motto ‘Your Easiest Way to Crypto’ – has helped it build a strong following among both retail traders and more seasoned investors.

Industry Context: Stablecoins and DeFi in the Spotlight

The emphasis on $USDC-margined pairs comes at a time when stablecoins are increasingly viewed as the backbone of the crypto economy. Beyond functioning as a liquidity layer, stablecoins are now integral to payment rails, cross-border settlement, and decentralized finance platforms.

The $243.1 billion stablecoin market cap milestone in Q2 reflects both resilience and evolution.

The sector is expanding not just in raw numbers but also in diversity, with compliant tokens like $USDC gaining traction alongside algorithmic and yield-bearing alternatives.

MEXC’s decision to highlight $ONDO/$USDC as part of its zero-fee campaign reflects how exchanges are now competing not just on volume but also on narrative alignment with emerging sectors.

DeFi has also continued to capture institutional interest, with projects like Ondo Finance ($ONDO) demonstrating new ways to bridge traditional financial instruments with blockchain technology.

MEXC Looks to the Future

The strong quarterly showing cements MEXC’s status as one of the most competitive exchanges in the futures market.

The zero-fee futures initiative may prove to be more than just a short-term promotional boost. By positioning itself as the go-to platform for traders chasing the most relevant narratives, the exchange has built a strategic foundation that could sustain growth well into 2026 and beyond.

As always, do your own research. This isn’t financial advice.

Authored by Bogdan Patru, Bitcoinist – https://bitcoinist.com/mexcs-zero-fee-futures-drive-q2-growth-stablecoins-defi

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.

Demand for compliant stubcoins is increasing. To address this need, Global Crypto Exchange Mexc recently announced a zero-fee promotion for popular futures trading pairs.

The move is designed to lower barriers to entry into futures trading and enable traders to take advantage of the situation in the rebound market.

MEXC’s The Zero-Fee campaign is one of many ways that exchanges have recognized user demand and addressed with simple, innovative solutions.

USDC Pairs Lead to Growth in Q2 Trading Volume

According to the Coingecko Q2 2025 Crypto Industry Report, Q2 set a new record for Stablecoin’s market capitalization at $243.1 billion (now $28.8 billion), an increase in total crypto market capitalization by 24%.

More specifically, $USDC Stablecoin grew at a whopping $1.4 billion in the second quarter of 2025, indicating an increase in market demand for compliant stable coins.

As the name suggests, a compliant stubcoin refers to a stubcoin that meets financial regulations. These regulations may be fully supported by cash or bonds in the form of being under regulatory oversight and may be audited regularly.

Compared to Bitcoin and Altcoins like Ethereum and Solana, Stablecoin prices tend to be less volatile. These are better suited to trading, paying and saving than guessing or investing.

$usdt and $usdc are two of the largest stable coins in terms of market capitalization. Between the two, the $USDT, where tethers were developed, is more widely used, with a higher market capitalization (over $16.8 billion), while $USDC is well known for its regulatory compliance and transparency.

Pairs for all kinds of traders

As the market moves from finding the best meme coins of the first quarter to investing in more mainstream crypto. mexc We have introduced zero trading fees for some trading pairs. Each is carefully selected not only to meet the demand for Stablecoin, but also to address a variety of risk options and investment strategies.

On the more mainstream aspect is $eth/$usdt. However, MEXC has added $SUI/$USDC and $TON/$USDC to accommodate traders looking for an up-and-coming pair.

Meanwhile, $hype/$usdc meets the need for more innovative projects, while $popcat/$usdc trading pairs are tailored to those willing to buy high-risk, high-reward cryptography.

It will appear mexc We chose zero-fee pairing wisely, taking into account the market share of each pair.

• $ ton/$ usdc: 42%
• $ eth/$ usdt: 33%
• $ hype/$ usdc: twenty one%
• $ ons/$ usususus: 5%
• $ popcat/$ usdc: 5%

In total, MEXC offers zero fees for 100 tokens on exchange.

Through Exchange’s futures trading market, you can bet on the future price of a cryptocurrency without actually owning its assets.

Futures trading also allows you to use leverage. Here you can borrow funds to control a larger position on the actual amount.

MEXC offers up to 500 times the leverage. This means that if you have $10 and choose 500x leverage, you can open a position size of 5k.

Fuel the next chapter of the crypto market

Since 2018, mexc We fulfilled our promise to be the “easiest way to cryptography.” With over 40 million users in over 170 countries, we are giving traders of all experience levels an easy, safe and efficient way to invest in digital assets.

Apart from its futures market, the exchange also offers spot trading and P2P trading. There is also a MEXC Mastercard. This replenishes the cryptography balance and can be used anywhere in the world.

With the latest Zero-Fee campaign on the Top Futures pair, MexC has once again won the mark and fueled the next chapter in the growing cryptocurrency market.

Author of Aaron Walker, Newsbtc – www.newsbtc.com/news/mexc-zero-fee-promotion-usdc-tablecoins/

Coinbase will launch Mag7 + Crypto Equity Index Futures to create the first US-listed futures product that combines traditional equities and crypto exposure, according to a Sept. 2 announcement.

The product will debut on Sept. 22, arriving less than two months after Coinbase began offering CFTC-regulated perpetuals to US customers in July.

The hybrid index tracks 10 equally weighted components: the seven largest US technology companies, known as the “Magnificent Seven,” Coinbase’s own stock, and BlackRock’s Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.

Each component represents 10% of the index, with quarterly rebalancing to maintain equal weightings.

The Magnificent Seven stocks include Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, NVIDIA, Meta, and Tesla. The cryptocurrency exposure is provided through the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) and the iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHA), offering indirect access to the two largest digital assets by market capitalization.

Product structure

Coinbase positions the product as addressing investor demand for dual exposure to traditional financial instruments and digital assets.

The company stated that no US-listed derivative previously offered access to both equities and cryptocurrencies within a futures product.

The monthly cash-settled contracts represent $1 multiplied by the index value. At an example index price of $3,000, each contract would carry a notional value of $3,000. MarketVector serves as the official index provider for calculation and maintenance.

The launch builds on Coinbase’s derivatives expansion following its July introduction of CFTC-regulated perpetual contracts for US customers.

Those products offer up to 10x leverage with 0.02% fees on major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana.

Coinbase frames the equity index futures as marking “the next evolution of our product suite” and paving the way for multi-asset derivatives that broaden access and efficiency for investors.

The company promises to expand availability to retail users in the coming months after the initial launch through partner platforms.

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XRP futures became the fastest contract in CME Group history to cross $1 billion in open interest (OI), achieving the milestone in just over three months.

CME Group reported its crypto futures suite surpassed $30 billion in notional open interest for the first time, with XRP and Solana futures each crossing the $1 billion threshold. Additionally, Ethereum reached the OI record of $10.5 billion.

The derivatives exchange stated:

“Our Crypto futures suite just surpassed $30B in notional open interest for the first time ever. Our SOL and XRP futures, along with ETH options, each crossed $1B in OI, with XRP being the fastest-ever contract to do so, hitting the mark in just over 3 months.”

Strong trading activity

XRP futures recorded their largest daily volume since July 15 on Aug. 25, with 7,533 contracts traded and over $1 billion in total volume, according to CME data.

The activity demonstrates appetite for regulated XRP exposure through CME’s CFTC-supervised platform.

The milestone comes as traditional finance firms seek cryptocurrency derivatives products. CME launched XRP futures in May 2025, providing institutions with standardized contracts settling to the CME CF XRP-Dollar Reference Rate.

Nate Geraci, president of NovaDius Wealth, connected the futures activity to potential spot ETF demand on Aug. 26.

He said:

“CME Group says XRP futures contracts have crossed over $1 billion in open interest… Fastest-ever contract to do so (took just over 3mos). There’s already $800+mil in futures-based xrp ETFs. Think people might be underestimating demand for spot xrp ETFs.”

After the CME XRP futures launch on May 19, Geraci noted that spot ETFs were only a matter of time. The affirmation is likely because analysts view regulated futures markets as a crucial requirement for spot crypto ETF approvals.

Several asset managers have filed for spot XRP ETFs with the SEC, including applications from 21Shares, Bitwise, Canary Capital, and Grayscale.

CME’s crypto derivatives now include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and XRP. BTC futures account for the largest share, with over $16 billion in open interest, while Ethereum futures hold approximately $10.5 billion. Additionally, both XRP and Solana recently joined the billion-dollar club.

The $30 billion milestone represents institutional adoption of crypto derivatives as portfolio management tools.

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Crypto Reporter

Shalini Nagarajan

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Shalini Nagarajan

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Shalini is a crypto reporter who provides in-depth reports on daily developments and regulatory shifts in the cryptocurrency sector.

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Last updated: 

August 26, 2025

XRP futures on CME Group has now crossed the $1b open interest milestone, becoming the fastest crypto contract to do so, just three months after launch.

The achievement shows growing institutional appetite for regulated exposure to digital assets.

CME said its wider crypto futures suite has now surpassed $30b in notional open interest for the first time. Both Solana and XRP futures crossed $1b, but XRP hit the mark at record speed, outpacing its peers and drawing fresh attention from funds and corporate desks.

The move is being viewed as a sign of market maturity and deepening liquidity in digital asset derivatives. Analysts say it reflects a new wave of institutional capital, as traditional finance increasingly embraces crypto markets through regulated venues.

High Volume Drop Tests Key Levels Before Quick Rebound

XRP itself has remained volatile. The token traded within a 5% range between $2.98 and $2.84 in the 24 hours ending Aug. 26. The steepest move came on Aug. 25, when the price fell from $2.96 to $2.84 on volume three times higher than its daily average.

Institutional buying quickly stepped in, lifting the token back to $2.92. Market participants described the $2.84 level as critical support, with volumes suggesting renewed corporate and fund activity. In the final hour of the session, XRP rose 0.7% from $2.90 to $2.92 on more than 5.7m traded tokens.

On the derivatives side, XRP futures recorded their heaviest daily activity since July 15 on Aug. 25. A total of 7,533 contracts changed hands, equivalent to more than $1b in volume. Since launch in May, CME’s XRP futures have seen over 251,000 contracts traded, representing $9.02b in cumulative notional volume.

Technical Indicators Point To Possible XRP Retest Of Lower Levels

The regulated nature of CME’s contracts, which settle to the CME CF XRP-Dollar Reference Rate and are supervised by the CFTC, has been a key factor in attracting demand. Analysts argue the milestone shows confidence in XRP’s long-term role in institutional portfolios.

Ryan Lee, chief analyst at Bitget, said XRP is sitting at a technical crossroads. Bollinger Bands are tightening, RSI remains neutral, and low buying volume suggests a possible retest of $2.60 to $2.00.

“A break above the $3.10 level with conviction and volume, and a run toward $3.40 could follow,” he added. “But derivative markets are skewed short, and upside stays guarded until momentum firms.”

XRP Futures Strength Sparks Renewed Talk Of Spot ETF Approval

The development also feeds into broader speculation about spot XRP ETFs. Several asset managers, including Grayscale, Bitwise and 21Shares, have filed applications with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Market participants believe strong futures liquidity could support those cases.

The surge in XRP futures comes against a backdrop of firm crypto markets. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell signaled rate cuts at Jackson Hole, fueling risk appetite across equities and digital assets. While Bitcoin has dominated headlines, XRP’s rapid derivatives growth signals its expanding role among institutions.

Elsewhere in the market, other altcoins have also seen bursts of activity. Shiba Inu briefly spiked toward $0.0000135 following a short-term technical signal, while Cardano’s development efforts continue to draw interest. Yet analysts caution that sustained momentum across smaller tokens will still depend on Bitcoin’s trajectory and broader macro conditions.

PancakeSwap has introduced futures contracts tied to major U.S. stocks, enabling users to trade synthetic versions of Apple, Amazon, and Tesla shares directly on the blockchain, according to an Aug. 5 release.

The new feature, live from Aug. 5, allows crypto users to open leveraged long or short positions using only a self-custodied wallet. Trades are executed on BNB Chain and support up to 25x leverage, with pricing designed to mirror traditional equity markets.

Unlike conventional stock trading, these contracts require no brokerage account, registration, or asset custody. Instead, all activity remains fully onchain, marking another step in the platform’s shift toward hybrid financial models that bridge traditional and decentralized assets.

Unlike crypto perpetual futures, which trade around the clock, these stock futures will operate during U.S. market hours, Monday through Friday, from 13:30 to 20:00 UTC, and are accessible via a newly added “Stocks” section in the PancakeSwap interface.

Users can adjust leverage levels and choose their trading direction based on market sentiment.

Perpetual contracts allow speculation on asset price movements without owning the underlying securities. PancakeSwap’s offering tracks stock prices through decentralized infrastructure while avoiding custodial risk.

The platform cautioned that the new derivatives carry significant financial risk. With high leverage, small price moves can result in amplified gains or losses. It urged users to understand the mechanics and risks before engaging in tokenized stock trading.

By integrating traditional equities into its decentralized derivatives platform, PancakeSwap aims to expand investment tools for crypto-native users seeking broader exposure without leaving the blockchain ecosystem.

The move comes amid a wider industry push, especially by centralized exchanges, into tokenized equities and Web3 versions of legacy markets.

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Crypto Reporter

Shalini Nagarajan

Crypto Reporter

Shalini Nagarajan

About Author

Shalini is a crypto reporter who provides in-depth reports on daily developments and regulatory shifts in the cryptocurrency sector.

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Last updated: 

August 5, 2025

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission plans to allow spot cryptocurrency trading on exchanges it already regulates, expanding access to digital assets through federally registered futures markets.

CFTC Acting Chairman Caroline Pham unveiled the plan on Monday, calling it the first move in the commission’s broader “crypto sprint,” a program aimed at quickly implementing key policy recommendations from the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets.

Pham framed the effort as part of a broader push under President Trump’s leadership to bring digital assets into the federal regulatory fold.

She said the initiative would enable immediate trading of digital assets at the federal level, in coordination with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s recently announced Project Crypto.

CFTC Invites Input on Spot Crypto Listings via DCMs

“There is a clear and simple solution the CFTC can implement now,” Pham said. “The Commodity Exchange Act currently requires that retail trading of commodities with leverage, margin, or financing must be conducted on a designated contract market.

“Starting today, we invite all stakeholders to work with us on providing regulatory clarity on how to list spot crypto asset contracts on a DCM using our existing authority.”

The CFTC’s plan would enable exchanges already registered to trade futures contracts, known as Designated Contract Markets, to also offer spot trading for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

In spot trading, buyers and sellers exchange digital assets directly and immediately, unlike futures trading, where contracts are based on predictions of future crypto prices.

Regulators Ask for Clarity on Crypto-Securities Boundary

Stakeholders have until Aug. 18, 2025, to share their feedback through the CFTC’s website. In the meantime, the agency is seeking input on how to regulate spot crypto trading. It is focusing on laws that govern retail commodity transactions. Additionally, it is reviewing compliance requirements for registered exchanges.

The commission is also seeking input on how its framework would interact with securities regulations, especially in cases where crypto assets may not meet the legal definition of securities.

All comments submitted will be made public on the CFTC’s website.

Unified Crypto Framework May Merge Futures and Securities Oversight

The move signals growing coordination between the CFTC and SEC as both agencies look to bring clarity to crypto regulation.

Just last week, SEC Chairman Paul Atkins introduced Project Crypto. This is a broad initiative to modernize securities laws for blockchain-based assets. It aims to clarify how crypto assets are classified, distributed and traded. In particular, it seeks to resolve longstanding confusion around the Howey test.

The test is used to determine whether an asset qualifies as a security. Over time, it has become a sticking point for crypto companies. As a result, many have treated their tokens as securities by default. They remain cautious due to the risk of enforcement actions.

Project Crypto is expected to provide a more tailored regulatory approach.

With the CFTC’s latest initiative, the US may be moving closer to a dual-agency framework for digital asset regulation. This shift involves both the CFTC and the SEC. It comes at a time of growing demand from institutional and retail investors. Many are seeking clearer, regulated access to cryptocurrencies.

If finalized, the CFTC’s plan could open the door for spot crypto trading under existing commodity laws, giving markets greater legal certainty without waiting for new legislation from Congress.