Coinbase has introduced perpetual stock futures for traders outside the United States, giving them the ability to take leveraged positions on major companies and index-tracking funds. The available underlying assets include Apple, Microsoft, and Tesla, along with ETFs that track the S&P 500 and Nasdaq indexes. The launch represents a notable expansion of the exchange’s derivatives offerings to an international audience.
The contracts are available around the clock, seven days a week, and are settled in cash using USDC, a dollar-pegged stablecoin. Traders can access up to ten times leverage on single-stock contracts and up to twenty times leverage on ETF-based products. The cash-settlement structure means positions are resolved in USDC rather than through the delivery of actual shares.
Coinbase has framed the move as part of a broader strategic ambition to become what it calls the “Everything Exchange.” The company has been steadily broadening its range of products in pursuit of that goal. The perpetual futures offering is among the more prominent steps in that direction, extending the platform’s reach beyond its cryptocurrency roots into traditional financial markets.
By targeting non-U.S. customers specifically, Coinbase is navigating the regulatory boundaries that currently limit certain derivative products within the United States. The international focus allows the exchange to tap into demand from traders in markets where such instruments may face fewer restrictions. This approach mirrors strategies used by other crypto-native platforms seeking to grow their global footprint.
Originally reported by CoinDesk.
