Kraken Launches CFTC-Regulated Perpetual Futures for US Institutional Clients

Kraken launched CFTC-regulated perpetual futures for eligible US institutional and professional clients, according to a June 16 announcement. The contracts are listed through Bitnomial and cleared through NinjaTrader Clearing, a CFTC-registered Futures Commission Merchant. The product brings perpetual futures, a derivatives format that has historically operated offshore due to stricter US regulations, into a compliant domestic framework for professional traders.

Kraken Lists Nine Assets With Eight-Hour Funding Structure

The new contracts are available through Kraken Pro. Listed assets include BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, ADA, LINK, DOGE, LTC, and AVAX. The product uses an eight-hour funding rate structure. Perpetual futures allow traders to take leveraged long or short exposure without a fixed expiry date, using periodic funding payments to keep contracts aligned with spot markets.

NinjaTrader Clearing Provides CFTC-Registered Services

NinjaTrader Clearing handles brokerage and clearing services for the contracts. The firm is a CFTC-registered Futures Commission Merchant and NFA member. The contracts are listed through Bitnomial, which provides the trading venue under CFTC oversight.

Access Restricted to Institutional and Professional Clients

The product is not available to general retail users. Kraken stated that access is restricted to eligible US institutional and professional clients. The launch provides US professional traders with a regulated domestic alternative to offshore perpetual futures platforms.

FAQ

What assets are available in Kraken's CFTC-regulated perpetual futures? Kraken listed nine assets: BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, ADA, LINK, DOGE, LTC, and AVAX.

Who can access Kraken's CFTC-regulated perpetual futures? The product is available only to eligible US institutional and professional clients, not general retail users.

Which firms handle clearing and listing for Kraken's perpetual futures? NinjaTrader Clearing, a CFTC-registered Futures Commission Merchant, provides clearing services. Bitnomial provides the listing venue.