Bitnomial, a Chicago-based derivatives exchange, has received approval to offer spot cryptocurrency trading directly under the supervision of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The move marks the first time that U.S. retail traders can buy and sell digital assets on a federally regulated commodities exchange.
Bitnomial’s self-certified rules, which took effect Friday, allow it to list both leveraged and non-leveraged spot crypto products. Customers will now be able to trade digital assets and access financing options on a platform fully recognized by federal authorities.
Regulatory Clarity for Crypto Exchanges
The approval comes as the CFTC moves to clarify its role in supervising spot crypto commodities. Both the CFTC CFTC The 1974 Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) in the United States created the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The Commission protects and regulates market activities against manipulation, fraud, and abuse trade practices and promotes fairness in futures contracts. The CEA also included the Sad-Johnson Agreement, which defined the authority and responsibilities for the monitoring of financial contracts between the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commiss The 1974 Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) in the United States created the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The Commission protects and regulates market activities against manipulation, fraud, and abuse trade practices and promotes fairness in futures contracts. The CEA also included the Sad-Johnson Agreement, which defined the authority and responsibilities for the monitoring of financial contracts between the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commiss Read this Term and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently confirmed that existing laws allow exchanges registered with either agency to offer certain crypto products, including those with leverage, provided there is proper coordination with regulators.
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Bitnomial’s approval could set a precedent for other exchanges holding designated contract market (DCM) status. Platforms such as Coinbase, Kalshi, and Polymarket may follow suit, bringing additional spot crypto offerings under federal supervision. The development represents a significant step toward integrating digital assets into regulated U.S. financial markets.
CFTC-Regulated XRP Futures
Early this year, Bitnomial launched the first CFTC-regulated XRP futures in the United States. The move followed the company’s voluntary decision to dismiss a lawsuit against the SEC.
The Chicago-based firm said that its physically settled XRP futures will be available to existing users starting March 20. This marks the first time such XRP derivatives will trade under federal oversight in the U.S., representing a milestone for the country’s cryptocurrency derivatives market.
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Bitnomial explained that improved regulatory clarity was a key reason for dropping its legal action against the SEC. The lawsuit had previously challenged the SEC’s attempts to block the exchange Exchange An exchange is known as a marketplace that supports the trading of derivatives, commodities, securities, and other financial instruments.Generally, an exchange is accessible through a digital platform or sometimes at a tangible address where investors organize to perform trading. Among the chief responsibilities of an exchange would be to uphold honest and fair-trading practices. These are instrumental in making sure that the distribution of supported security rates on that exchange are effectiv An exchange is known as a marketplace that supports the trading of derivatives, commodities, securities, and other financial instruments.Generally, an exchange is accessible through a digital platform or sometimes at a tangible address where investors organize to perform trading. Among the chief responsibilities of an exchange would be to uphold honest and fair-trading practices. These are instrumental in making sure that the distribution of supported security rates on that exchange are effectiv Read this Term from listing XRP futures.
