Coinbase Enters the Big League with Regulated U.S. Crypto Futures

Coinbase Launches U.S. Perpetual-Style Bitcoin Futures and Buys BTC Weekly

Coinbase, one of the world’s most prominent crypto exchanges, is about to shake up the U.S. crypto market. Starting July 21, 2025, the company will launch perpetual-style crypto futures contracts for American traders—something rarely seen due to strict regulations.

But that’s not all. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong just revealed the company is buying Bitcoin every week, signaling strong confidence in the leading cryptocurrency. This bold move aligns with Coinbase’s growing crypto treasury and long-term vision.

What Are Coinbase’s New Perpetual-Style Futures

Finally, U.S. Traders Get Access to Perpetual Futures—Legally

Perpetual futures are wildly popular in global crypto markets, allowing traders to bet on the price of assets like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) without expiry. However, these products are often based offshore and have faced regulatory resistance in the U.S.—until now.

Coinbase’s new futures will be available on its CFTC-regulated Coinbase Derivatives Exchange. Unlike offshore versions, these contracts are structured as long-dated futures with five-year expirations, but they behave like perpetual swaps thanks to their smart design.

Key Features of Coinbase’s U.S. Perpetual-Style Futures

• Assets at Launch: Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH)

• Expiration: 5 years (not truly perpetual but mimics it)

• Funding Mechanism: Accrues hourly and settles twice daily

• Availability: 24/7 trading

• Regulatory Oversight: Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)

• Settlement: Through a regulated clearing system

This product bridges the gap between U.S. compliance and global crypto innovation, giving institutional and retail traders a new, legally compliant way to access high-leverage crypto trading in America.

Why This Launch Matters for the U.S. Crypto Market

Perpetual Futures Dominate Globally, But U.S. Has Been Left Out

Until now, U.S.-based crypto traders were often forced to use offshore exchanges like Binance or Bybit to access perpetual futures. That came with risks—legal, regulatory, and even operational.

Coinbase’s regulated offering changes the game. It provides a trustworthy, compliant alternative within the U.S. jurisdiction, potentially attracting hedge funds, institutional players, and advanced retail traders who had stayed on the sidelines due to regulatory uncertainty.

This could also boost liquidity onshore and reduce reliance on unregulated platforms.

Coinbase Is Stacking Bitcoin Every Week

CEO Brian Armstrong Confirms Weekly Bitcoin Buys

While launching a new product is big news, Brian Armstrong added even more fuel to the fire. In a June 26 post on X (formerly Twitter), the CEO declared:

“We’re buying more bitcoin every week. Long Bitcoin.”

The comment came in response to a tweet by David Bailey, CEO of Nakamoto Holdings—a bitcoin treasury-focused firm.

Coinbase’s Corporate Bitcoin Holdings Near $1 Billion

Coinbase isn’t just talking the talk. According to its Q1 2025 earnings report, the company invested $150 million in crypto during the quarter—mostly in Bitcoin. As of now:

• Coinbase holds 9,257 BTC

• Estimated Value: Nearly $1 billion

• Ranking: One of the Top 10 publicly listed companies holding Bitcoin

This makes Coinbase a major corporate player in the BTC ecosystem, alongside companies like MicroStrategy and Tesla.

What This Means for Crypto Investors

1. More Access and Legitimacy for U.S. Traders

For years, U.S. crypto traders had limited access to advanced derivatives. Coinbase’s launch is a huge step toward mainstreaming these tools while staying fully compliant.

2. Institutional Confidence in Bitcoin Is Growing

Coinbase doubling down on its Bitcoin strategy signals that large, regulated firms still believe in the long-term value of crypto—even during market volatility. This could influence other institutions to follow suit.

3. Bitcoin May See Renewed Momentum

With a top exchange like Coinbase not only launching new trading products but also buying BTC weekly, the message is clear: Bitcoin is here to stay. This could act as a bullish signal for the market heading into the second half of 2025.

 Coinbase Is Leading the U.S. Crypto Revolution

Coinbase is playing a dual role—as both an innovator and a believer. By introducing regulated, perpetual-style futures in the U.S. and publicly accumulating Bitcoin, the company is making a strong statement about the future of crypto.

Whether you’re a trader, investor, or just watching from the sidelines, this move by Coinbase could reshape how digital assets are traded in America—legally, securely, and 24/7.

Watch July 21 closely. That’s when U.S. crypto trading may finally enter a new era.

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Derive Protocol Reaches $100M in Value Locked as Bitcoin Whales Shape the Options Market

In the world of decentralized finance (DeFi), a surge in activity has been observed, with Bitcoin (BTC) whales making waves through a growing demand for cryptocurrency options. Derivatives tied to Bitcoin and other digital assets have been gaining significant traction, and recent data from Derive Protocol has highlighted an exciting milestone: a total value locked (TVL) surpassing $100 million. This achievement signals not only the success of the protocol but also the expanding interest in options trading and DeFi products in the cryptocurrency space.

What’s Driving Derive’s Growth?

Derive.xyz is a decentralized platform that facilitates permissionless, self-custodial trading of perpetuals, options, and spot trades. With the introduction of Derive Chain, a settlement layer for transactions, and Derive Protocol, the platform is poised to offer innovative and programmable on-chain financial products. This combination of features has been attracting more traders and capital to the platform.

Sean Dawson, the Head of Research at Derive, shared insights into the platform’s recent success: “Derive’s total value locked has surpassed $100 million for the first time, alongside record-setting weeks for trading volume and active traders.” In fact, the notional volume on the platform has reached $369 million, with 5,416 monthly active trades, marking an all-time high.

In addition, yield on all USDC deposits on the platform has reached an impressive 10%, indicating that DeFi participants are finding lucrative opportunities within the ecosystem.

The Growing Appeal of DeFi and Options Trading

Derive’s surge in activity is reflective of a larger trend in the crypto space—an increased demand for decentralized options and perpetual contracts. These products allow traders to speculate on price movements without owning the underlying asset, which makes them a popular choice for those seeking higher leverage and potentially larger profits.

For those unfamiliar with options, these financial instruments provide the right (but not the obligation) to buy or sell an asset at a predetermined price at a future date. Call options give traders the right to buy, signaling a bullish market outlook, while put options provide the right to sell, often indicating bearish sentiment.

With Bitcoin reaching new highs and expanding its market footprint, the demand for cryptocurrency options and structured products continues to rise. Derive Protocol offers an exciting avenue for traders to tap into this growing market, with self-custodial trading ensuring that users have control over their funds at all times.

Bitcoin Whales Take the Lead in Options Trading

One of the most interesting developments in the crypto options market has been the activity of Bitcoin whales—large investors with substantial positions in Bitcoin. Just last week, a whale generated $1.6 million in premium by executing a covered call strategy involving Bitcoin options. This strategy entailed selling call options on Bitcoin against a long position in the spot market, with strike prices ranging from $105,000 to $130,000 for the March expiry.

A covered call strategy is typically used by traders to generate additional income from their existing holdings. In this case, the whale collected premium by selling calls on Bitcoin, hoping that the price of Bitcoin would remain below $105,000 by the end of March. If Bitcoin’s price climbs above $130,000, the whale will still benefit from their long position in the spot market, but their call options will cap the profits from Bitcoin’s rise.

This strategy highlights the increasing sophistication of options trading in the crypto market, where whales and institutional investors are leveraging derivatives to maximize returns or hedge against potential downside risks. Such strategies are becoming more prevalent, and platforms like Derive.xyz make it easier for these whales to trade in a decentralized manner.

DeFi Carry Trades and Lower Borrowing Costs

Another popular strategy gaining traction on Derive Protocol is the use of DeFi carry trades. This involves posting sUSDe, a reward-bearing token earned by staking Ethena’s USDe stablecoin, as collateral on the platform. Traders can then borrow USDC at rates that are notably lower than those found on other lending protocols, providing a positive spread that yields double-digit returns.

The process works by borrowing USDC from Derive.xyz, purchasing more sUSDe, and repeating the cycle. The yield on sUSDe is currently 28% annually, while the borrowing rate for USDC is around 18%. This creates an opportunity for traders to earn attractive returns by exploiting the spread between borrowing costs and rewards, making it a highly attractive strategy for DeFi participants.

Why Are Bitcoin Options Gaining Popularity?

The rise in demand for options and derivatives in the cryptocurrency space can be attributed to several factors. First, the volatility inherent in the cryptocurrency market makes options an appealing tool for traders looking to profit from price swings. Options offer leverage, which means traders can amplify potential gains (and losses) without needing to commit large amounts of capital upfront.

Additionally, with the growing institutional adoption of Bitcoin and other digital assets, more sophisticated trading strategies are being employed, including those involving options and perpetual contracts. The appeal of options lies in their ability to hedge risk or generate income through strategies like covered calls, making them a versatile tool for traders.

The Future of Derive and DeFi Options

With Derive Protocol surpassing $100 million in total value locked and setting new records in trading volume and activity, it’s clear that the platform is gaining momentum within the DeFi options market. As more users look for ways to engage with the growing cryptocurrency derivatives market, platforms like Derive.xyz are likely to play an increasingly important role in the ecosystem.

Looking ahead, we can expect options and perpetual contracts to continue gaining popularity as more traders seek to capitalize on the volatility of digital assets. With the ability to trade these instruments in a decentralized, self-custodial manner, DeFi platforms like Derive are well-positioned to meet the demand for sophisticated financial products.

Conclusion: Is Now the Time to Jump In?

For those interested in tapping into the growing DeFi options market, Derive Protocol offers a promising platform with impressive growth and lucrative trading opportunities. Whether you’re a whale looking to execute sophisticated options strategies or a retail investor seeking high yields on stablecoin deposits, Derive provides a user-friendly and decentralized environment to explore these exciting opportunities.

As the cryptocurrency market continues to evolve and expand, Derive Protocol’s record growth in TVL and trading volume signals that the demand for DeFi options and derivatives is only set to increase. With Bitcoin whales leading the way, and new strategies emerging every day, the future of options trading in the crypto space looks brighter than ever.

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