CFTC chair Michael Selig targets US launch of crypto perpetual futures within a month

CFTC Chairman Michael Selig announced intentions to bring regulated perpetual futures trading to US markets within about a month, marking a major development for domestic crypto derivatives. Perpetual futures, which lack expiration dates and use funding rates to track asset prices, are highly popular on offshore platforms but have been in a regulatory gray area domestically. Selig first outlined a framework for these products in May 2025, and subsequent actions, including a joint initiative with the SEC in January 2026 called Project Crypto, have paved the way for compliant onshore trading. The emerging regulatory framework is expected to include leverage caps and transparency requirements to mitigate risks associated with unregulated foreign exchanges like Binance and Bybit, where these contracts generate significant volume. The CFTC has held jurisdiction over crypto derivatives since 2015, and Selig is focused on establishing domestic markets as strong alternatives to foreign venues.

(Source：Crypto Briefing)