TheBlock
Coinbase rolled out a derivatives suite for UK professional investors on Tuesday, covering more than 170 contracts across crypto, commodities, equities and foreign exchange. Perpetuals will trade around the clock with leverage up to 50x, dated futures carry fixed settlement dates with up to 20x leverage, and the options book is crypto-only, with calls, puts and multi-leg strategies. Access begins progressively over the coming weeks and is restricted to clients classified as professional under FCA rules.
Why it matters
The launch follows Coinbase's recently secured MiFID license, which the company said expands its UK permissions to offer derivatives contracts to professional traders and equities to retail investors. Coinbase describes itself as 'the most comprehensively regulated crypto player' in the UK; subsidiary CB Payments Ltd is authorized by the Financial Conduct Authority for investment services and registered under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 for issuing electronic money. Last week the exchange opened nearly 4,000 US stocks to eligible UK users, so the derivatives line extends a multi-asset pitch that now reaches institutional-sized books.
Market impact
The rollout dovetails with Coinbase's broader 'Everything Exchange' push and a revenue mix that has steadily decoupled from spot bitcoin trading. In its second-quarter report, Coinbase said 88% of net revenue came from sources other than bitcoin spot trading, while global crypto trading volume share hit a record 10.3%, up from 9.1% in the first quarter. UK professional clients are the higher-wallet-share segment the exchange has been chasing, and perpetuals volume against fiat and commodities exposure is the kind of recurring flow that compounds.
Frequently asked questions
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What did Coinbase just launch for UK professional investors?
Coinbase rolled out a derivatives suite for UK professional clients, covering more than 170 contracts across crypto, commodities, equities and foreign exchange, with access opening progressively over the coming weeks.
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What leverage does the new Coinbase UK derivatives offering allow?
Perpetuals are available with up to 50x leverage and trade around the clock, while dated futures offer fixed settlement dates with up to 20x leverage. The options book is crypto-only and supports calls, puts and multi-leg strategies.
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Why can Coinbase now offer derivatives in the UK?
The launch follows Coinbase's recently secured MiFID license, which the company said expands its UK permissions to offer derivatives contracts to professional traders and equities to retail investors.
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Who can access the new Coinbase UK derivatives products?
Access is restricted to investors who meet FCA eligibility requirements and are classified as professional clients, including institutions and qualifying high-net-worth individuals under UK rules.
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How does this fit Coinbase's broader UK strategy?
The derivatives rollout extends Coinbase's 'Everything Exchange' strategy in the UK, alongside last week's launch of nearly 4,000 US stocks for eligible UK users. The exchange also said 88% of its Q2 net revenue came from sources other than bitcoin spot trading.
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