CFTC-Regulated Bitnomial Exchange to Launch Leveraged Spot Crypto Trading in the U.S.
Bitnomial, a crypto exchange regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), is set to begin offering leveraged spot cryptocurrency trading in the United States next week. This marks the first instance of spot trading being conducted on venues registered with the CFTC.
Acting CFTC Chair Caroline Pham described this development as unprecedented, highlighting the agency’s focus on customer protections and maintaining market integrity under its regulation. Bitnomial will provide leveraged spot trading options alongside its existing perpetual futures and options products.
Operating as both a designated contract market and a derivatives clearing organization, Bitnomial is uniquely positioned to enable leveraged spot trading. Earlier this year, the CFTC solicited feedback on this initiative, with Pham engaging directly with regulated exchanges to facilitate the rollout of such crypto-related products.
This introduction of leveraged spot trading comes amid ongoing discussions among U.S. lawmakers regarding the market structure and the regulatory boundaries between the CFTC and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over cryptocurrency jurisdiction. Bitnomial also emphasizes portfolio margining across different asset classes, aiming to reduce redundant margin requirements for traders.
