Bitcoin News Today: OKX Adds USELESSUSDT and NEWTUSDT Perpetual Futures to Expand Altcoin Trading with Meme Coin and AI-Driven Projects

OKX has introduced two new perpetual futures contracts—USELESSUSDT and NEWTUSDT—on its platform, effective July 25, 2025. The USDT-based pairs are available via the exchange’s web platform, mobile app, and API access. The contracts are listed sequentially: USELESSUSDT at 18:00 and NEWTUSDT at 18:15 on the same day. USELESS, a meme coin on the Solana network, subverts the industry’s emphasis on utility, while NEWT (Newton Protocol) focuses on AI-driven trading infrastructure for crypto markets [1].

The listing reflects OKX’s strategy to diversify trading options, particularly for speculative and high-volatility assets. The exchange highlights the potential for short-term opportunities in meme coins and next-generation DeFi/AI projects, while cautioning users to assess risks associated with volatility and project fundamentals [1]. This follows a broader trend of heightened crypto market volatility, with recent data showing significant liquidations in Ethereum and XRP pairs, indicating fragile speculative positions in altcoins [3].

The decision to pair these assets with USDT underscores the token’s dominance in stablecoin trading. OKX’s emphasis on stablecoin-pegged derivatives aligns with market demand for tools to hedge against crypto’s inherent price swings. The move contrasts with a recent delisting of multiple altcoin pairs by the exchange, suggesting a strategy to prioritize high-liquidity assets while pruning underperforming ones [2]. Such adjustments are common in crypto derivatives markets, where exchanges frequently adapt listings to reflect shifting investor priorities.

The timing of the announcement coincides with broader sector trends. Institutional investors are reportedly shifting toward Bitcoin as a “safe haven” amid uncertainty, reducing exposure to smaller-cap altcoins [4]. OKX’s expansion into altcoin futures may aim to provide structured instruments for traders navigating these dynamics, balancing risk management with access to emerging projects.

Regulatory developments also contextualize the exchange’s actions. While OKX’s latest listing is unrelated to compliance, its parent company is part of a growing group of firms securing EU Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) licenses, signaling industry efforts to gain institutional legitimacy [5]. This could indirectly bolster adoption of derivatives like those now offered on OKX, as regulatory clarity supports broader market participation.

The impact of the new pairs on trading activity remains to be seen. Historical patterns show that altcoin perpetual futures often drive short-term liquidity spikes, though sustainability depends on the underlying asset’s fundamentals and market depth. OKX’s user base—encompassing both retail and institutional traders—may leverage these tools for hedging or capitalizing on niche crypto projects [1].

Source: [1] [Bitcoin Exchange OKX Announces Listing of Two New Altcoin Trading Pairs on Its Futures Platform! Here Are the Details] (https://en.bitcoinsistemi.com/bitcoin-exchange-okx-announces-listing-of-two-new-altcoin-trading-pairs-on-its-futures-platform-here-are-the-details/) [2] [Cryptocurrency market news] (https://cryptonews.net/news/market/) [3] [Rising Open Interest (OI) on Ethereum and Ripple's XRP ...] (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=727607043485840&set=a.130****63246274&type=3) [4] [Markets are digesting recent gains while staying buoyed by ...] (https://www.facebook.com/groups/57176****659147/posts/1290755389093928/) [5] [Crypto Asset Manager CoinShares Secures EU-Wide ...] (https://cryptonews.net/news/market/31303693/)