TLDR:Kalshi secured approval for the first regulated bitcoin perpetual futures contract in the U.S.Coinbase received CFTC relief to route clients into offshore crypto perpetual futures markets.The CFTC classified certain crypto perpetuals as foreign futures under Regulation 30.1.Regulators introduced leverage safeguards while expanding crypto derivatives market access.CFTC crypto perpetual futures entered a new regulatory era after the agency approved Kalshi’s bitcoin perpetual contract and cleared Coinbase’s foreign derivatives structure. The decisions establish the first workable framework for regulated crypto perpetual trading in the United States. This will help in expanding institutional access to offshore markets.CFTC Opens Door for Regulated Bitcoin Perpetual FuturesCFTC crypto perpetual futures moved into the spotlight after regulators approved Kalshi’s BTCPERP contract on Friday. The approval creates the first regulated pathway for bitcoin perpetual futures trading inside the United States. Until now, most crypto perpetual activity operated through offshore platforms beyond direct U.S. oversight.The Commodity Futures Trading Commission confirmed that Kalshi’s contract must comply with the Commodity Exchange Act and existing market standards. The agency described the move as part of a broader effort to create a workable structure for digital asset derivatives products.CFTC Approves First Regulated Bitcoin Perpetual Contract in U.S.CFTC Chairman Mike Selig said the agency has approved the listing of the first “true” Bitcoin perpetual contract on a CFTC-registered exchange, marking a major step toward bringing crypto perpetual trading into the… pic.twitter.com/tID4bebE0G— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) May 29, 2026Bitcoin perpetual futures differ from traditional futures because they carry no expiration date. Traders can maintain positions indefinitely while speculating on future crypto price movements. These contracts have become one of the most actively traded products across global crypto exchanges because they offer constant market exposure.Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour said the approval represents the company’s expansion beyond prediction markets into regulated derivatives trading. In a company statement, Mansour noted that regulated perpetual contracts could improve capital allocation and strengthen risk management for U.S. businesses seeking crypto exposure.CFTC Chairman Mike Selig also backed the development, describing perpetual futures as an important tool for risk management and price discovery across crypto markets. He added that bringing crypto perps onshore aligns with broader efforts to position the United States as a major digital asset hub.Coinbase Gains Access to Offshore Crypto Perpetual MarketsAlongside the Kalshi approval, the CFTC issued a no-action letter involving Coinbase Financial Markets and Deribit FZE. The guidance allows Coinbase’s registered futures commission merchant subsidiary to connect customers with foreign perpetual futures and options products through Coinbase Bermuda.In my first public remarks as @CFTC Chairman, I made clear that the agency would use the tools at its disposal to onshore crypto asset perpetuals. Today, the @CFTC delivered on that commitment.This morning, the @CFTC took historic action to permit the listing of a true bitcoin…— Mike Selig (@ChairmanSelig) May 29, 2026The agency confirmed that the perpetual contracts referenced in the letter qualify as foreign futures under Commission Regulation 30.1. The arrangement also permits certain customer-owned crypto assets, including bitcoin, ether, and payment stablecoins, to serve as margin collateral under specific conditions.Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal called the decision a major step for the crypto industry. The guidance gives U.S.-linked clients broader access to offshore perpetual markets while operating within a defined regulatory framework.The announcements arrived shortly after President Donald Trump criticized previous U.S. crypto policies for pushing perpetual trading activity offshore. Trump argued that earlier regulatory pressure weakened domestic innovation while global crypto derivatives markets continued expanding outside the country.Despite the approvals, the CFTC’s current position remains guidance-based rather than fully codified under permanent rules. Still, the latest actions establish a clearer framework for crypto derivatives firms seeking regulated access to perpetual futures markets in the United States.The post CFTC Has Approved the First Regulated Bitcoin Perpetual Contract in the U.S. appeared first on Blockonomi.