Coinbase is launching perpetual futures, allowing retail investors to utilize leverage in trading. This move aims to democratize access to advanced trading tools, previously available mainly to institutional investors. The introduction of these products reflects the growing trend of integrating sophisticated financial instruments into the cryptocurrency market.

Kraken has introduced perpetual futures trading for eligible retail clients in select jurisdictions, aiming to expand its offerings as it prepares for a public listing in 2026. These perpetual contracts allow traders to speculate on price movements without owning the underlying asset, featuring built-in protections like stop-loss functions for risk management.

U.S. traders can now access perpetual futures contracts through Coinbase Financial Markets, starting July 21, 2025. These CFTC-regulated derivatives allow for up to 10x leverage and have no monthly expiration dates, providing a new trading opportunity for the American crypto market.