Coinbase Opens Global Crypto Derivatives Access for U.S. Institutions

• Coinbase Financial Markets allows U.S. institutions to access global crypto derivatives, including Deribit options, via a regulated CFTC pathway.
• The move reduces reliance on offshore entities by providing compliant access to international perpetual futures and options liquidity.
• Coinbase said institutional onboarding has begun, with broader derivatives and retail access planned in later rollout phases.

U.S. institutional investors can now access global crypto options and perpetual futures markets through Coinbase Financial Markets, according to Coinbase. The launch follows guidance from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and allows clients to reach international liquidity venues, including Deribit, through a CFTC-regulated futures commission merchant. The move removes the need for many firms to rely on offshore structures.

According to Coinbase, crypto derivatives account for roughly 80% of global crypto trading volume. However, U.S. institutions previously lacked a regulated pathway to participate in many of those markets.

As a result, some firms established offshore entities to access perpetual futures and options liquidity. That approach often added operational complexity and increased counterparty exposure.

Now, Coinbase Financial Markets has become the first CFTC-regulated futures commission merchant authorized to connect U.S. clients with global crypto derivatives venues. Consequently, institutions can access international markets through a single regulated platform.

Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, said U.S. traders had previously been locked out of much of the global crypto derivatives market. He added that Coinbase now provides regulated access to crypto options and perpetual futures liquidity, including Deribit’s options market.

With the framework in place, Coinbase has already launched access to Deribit options through Coinbase Financial Markets. The company said additional contracts and collateral types will follow.

Furthermore, perpetual futures products are expected to launch after the initial rollout phase. According to Coinbase, institutional clients can begin onboarding immediately.

The integration places a significant portion of global crypto options liquidity within reach of eligible U.S. institutions. Coinbase noted that Deribit currently holds more than $31 billion in Bitcoin options open interest.

The latest rollout adds another market segment to Coinbase’s trading infrastructure. According to the company, equities, futures, and prediction markets already operate on its platform.

Meanwhile, Coinbase said broader access remains under development. Institutional onboarding has started, while retail availability will arrive at a later date.Coinbase also thanked CFTC Chairman Mike Selig and the agency for supporting a regulated framework for access to global crypto derivatives markets. The company said the new structure gives U.S. institutions a compliant route to international options and perpetual futures liquidity.