Bitcoin News Today: Coinbase Expands Altcoin Futures to Cement Derivatives Dominance

Coinbase Global Inc. is set to expand its 24/7 futures trading offerings to include a range of major altcoins, marking a significant step in the cryptocurrency exchange's strategy to dominate the derivatives market. The new altcoin futures, set to launch on December 5, will cover Avalanche (AVAX), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Cardano (ADA), Chainlink (LINK), Dogecoin (DOGE), Hedera (HBAR), Litecoin (LTC), Polkadot (DOT), Shiba Inu (SHIB), Stellar (XLM), and SUI, according to a post by Coinbase Markets on X. This expansion builds on Coinbase's existing 24/7 support for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and XRP futures, which were introduced in May and July 2025, following its $2.9 billion acquisition of Deribit.

The move reflects growing demand for continuous trading options in a market where volatility and global participation necessitate round-the-clock access. Coinbase's CFTC-regulated derivatives arm will also introduce U.S. perpetual-style futures for these altcoins, featuring a five-year expiration and funding rates aligned with spot markets. These contracts differ from traditional perpetuals, which typically have no expiration date, offering traders a structured approach to risk management. The staggered rollout includes monthly futures launching on December 5, with perpetual-style contracts following on December 12 according to reports.

The expansion comes as decentralized platforms like Hyperliquid and Lighter attract significant trading volumes, with The Block reporting record-high decentralized exchange (DEX) to centralized exchange (CEX) futures trade volumes. Coinbase's strategy to enhance its derivatives presence includes integrating Vector, a Solana-based on-chain trading platform acquired in November 2025. The acquisition aims to improve speed and liquidity for Solana-native assets, leveraging Vector's technology to identify newly minted tokens and launchpads.

Coinbase's foray into altcoin futures aligns with broader efforts to position itself as an "everything app," offering services ranging from tokenized stocks to prediction markets. The company recently announced plans to launch a Kalshi-powered prediction market in December, enabling users to bet on events such as elections and sports outcomes. Additionally, Coinbase expanded decentralized exchange trading to Brazil in November, providing users access to millions of tokens via platforms like Uniswap and Aerodrome.

The derivatives expansion underscores Coinbase's response to shifting market dynamics. With 10x leverage available on perpetual futures, the platform appeals to experienced traders seeking amplified exposure to altcoins. However, the high leverage also heightens risk, particularly in a market where Bitcoin's price has fluctuated sharply in recent months.

Coinbase's moves are part of a larger trend toward institutional-grade crypto products. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has advanced Travis Hill's nomination as permanent chairman, signaling potential regulatory alignment that could further integrate crypto into traditional finance. Meanwhile, competitors like Gemini and Robinhood are also entering prediction markets, intensifying competition in the derivatives space .