Coinbase expands regulated crypto futures in Europe

Coinbase launches regulated crypto futures in 26 European countries. Ripple expands institutional futures access via Coinbase. RLUSD liquidity surges as U.S. CBDC efforts stall.

Coinbase has launched regulated crypto futures trading for both institutional and retail clients in 26 European countries, including Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Available through Coinbase Advanced, the offering features perpetual-style futures with five-year expiries and dated contracts with monthly or quarterly settlement. Supported assets include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and the Mag7 + Crypto Equity Index. Traders can access up to 10x leverage, with fees starting at 0.02% per contract, and fund accounts in EUR or USDC. This expansion provides a compliant alternative to previously unregulated offshore platforms, aligning with tightening European regulations ahead of the MiCA enforcement deadline. Meanwhile, Ripple has broadened institutional access to crypto futures by integrating Coinbase Derivatives contracts into its prime brokerage platform, enhancing regulated trading opportunities and liquidity for global clients. Additionally, Ripple USD (RLUSD) liquidity on the XRP Ledger has surged from $235 million to nearly $1.52 billion, driven by new token issuances and increased adoption for settlements and DeFi. In contrast, U.S. legislative efforts to introduce a CBDC continue to face significant resistance.