Coinbase Challenges Decentralized Rivals with Regulated 24/7 Altcoin Futures

Coinbase is set to expand its derivatives offerings with the launch of 24/7 futures trading for a range of major altcoins, including Shiba Inu (SHIB), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Dogecoin (DOGE), and others, beginning December 5. The move marks a significant step in the exchange's strategy to broaden its U.S. derivatives market and cater to the growing demand for continuous trading in volatile crypto markets according to reports.

The futures contracts will cover Avalanche (AVAX), Cardano (ADA), Chainlink (LINK), Hedera (HBAR), Litecoin (LTC), Polkadot (DOT), SUI, and Stellar (XLM), alongside SHIB and BCH as reported. These products will be available to both retail and institutional traders through Coinbase's CFTC-regulated derivatives arm, with access facilitated via approved futures commission merchants according to sources. The launch follows a staggered rollout plan, with U.S. perpetual-style futures for the same altcoins expected by December 12 as stated.

Coinbase's new offerings differ from traditional perpetual contracts by featuring a five-year expiration cycle, a structure designed to align with U.S. regulatory frameworks while providing traders with extended exposure to price movements according to market analysis. The exchange also offers up to 10x leverage, enabling traders to amplify positions, though this carries heightened risk as noted. The expansion builds on Coinbase's existing 24/7 futures for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and XRP, which were introduced earlier this year according to reports.

The strategic move is part of Coinbase's broader effort to solidify its position as a comprehensive derivatives platform. This follows its landmark $2.9 billion acquisition of Deribit, the world's largest crypto options exchange, which significantly bolstered its derivatives capabilities according to industry reports as detailed. The company has also accelerated its acquisition spree in 2025, recently announcing the purchase of Solana-based decentralized exchange (DEX) Vector to enhance on-chain trading infrastructure according to business news.

Analysts view the 24/7 altcoin futures as a direct response to the rising popularity of decentralized derivatives platforms, which have attracted traders with their low fees and non-custodial models according to financial analysis. By offering regulated, perp-style contracts with CFTC oversight, Coinbase aims to attract institutional and compliance-sensitive traders who previously relied on offshore platforms. The hybrid approach-combining perpetual-like features with regulatory compliance-could strengthen liquidity on centralized exchanges amid a fragmented market as observed.

Coinbase's expansion also reflects the maturing crypto derivatives sector, which now accounts for a substantial portion of global trading volume according to market data. The exchange emphasized that the new products address market demand for tools to manage risk and capitalize on price volatility, particularly as institutional adoption grows.

With the December 5 launch, Coinbase positions itself to capture a larger share of the 24/7 trading landscape, competing with both decentralized rivals and traditional financial institutions entering the crypto space. The move underscores the exchange's ambition to become a one-stop hub for crypto trading, bridging the gap between regulated markets and the innovation-driven decentralized ecosystem as reported according to industry analysis.