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On November 3, 2026, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) approved the use of individual stock perpetual futures in the United States. This decision allows these financial instruments, known as “Equity Perps,” to be traded on exchanges registered with the commission. CFTC Chairman Michael Selig stated that this move offers US traders a regulated alternative to offshore platforms, which often lack adequate regulatory protections.
Why it matters
The approval introduces the trading model typical of the cryptocurrency sector into the traditional stock market. Perpetual futures do not have a fixed expiration date and use periodic payments to keep the price tied to the spot value. According to SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins, security futures had long remained in a regulatory gray area due to the lack of harmonization between government agencies. With this new regulation, contracts are classified as security futures products under Regulation 40.3, requiring dual registration with both the CFTC and the SEC.
The numbers
Sources do not report specific trading volumes or monetary values directly linked to the approval of the new stock contracts. However, the regulatory context fits into a period of increased regulatory activity: previously, in May 2026, the first bitcoin perpetual in the United States was approved by the platform Kalshi. Additionally, the CFTC proposed a voluntary path for federal registration for crypto exchanges, while a legal appeal filed by CME Group against the commission regarding the approval of Kalshi remains pending.
What remains to be understood
The CFTC announcement did not name specific exchanges that will offer these contracts, nor was a precise date established for the actual market launch. Individual stock titles on which trading will be possible from the start were also not listed. The legal situation remains in flux due to litigation with CME Group, and the interaction between the new CFTC rules and SEC supervision must be clarified in daily operational practice.
Sources: CoinDesk, Decrypt, Bitcoin Magazine.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or an investment recommendation.
* Content created with the assistance of artificial intelligence systems.