The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is the U.S. federal agency that regulates futures, options and swaps markets. Recent stories show the CFTC asserting authority over crypto‑derived derivatives, issuing guidance on prediction‑market access and facing court challenges over stock perpetual contracts. The agency’s actions are shaping how crypto firms operate in the United States.
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission has privately warned prediction‑market operator Kalshi that charges may follow a probe into procedural errors on a handful of contracts.
Rahul VermaPatrick McHenry told Unchained that the incoming Democratic‑controlled Congress is unlikely to approve any anti‑crypto legislation, despite Senator Elizabeth Warren’s renewed push.
Rahul VermaA CFTC no‑action letter now permits crypto custodians to settle daily US derivatives trades, opening a multi‑billion‑dollar market while banks contest the shift.
Naomi JohnsonPolymarket’s US exchange saw trading volume jump to $14.77 bn in October, a 266% rise since June, while the platform faces multiple federal and state investigations.
Naomi JohnsonMajor crypto exchanges and trading firms filed an amicus brief backing the CFTC's right to regulate single‑stock perpetual futures amid a lawsuit by the Capital Markets Alliance.
Naomi JohnsonSenator Elizabeth Warren plans to use her upcoming Senate Banking Committee chairmanship to increase regulation of prediction‑market platforms and election‑betting services.
Naomi JohnsonFormer House committee chair Patrick McHenry says the crypto sector blew its chance for clear U.S. regulation after the CLARITY Act failed a Senate cloture vote.
The CFTC gave exchanges 30 days to drop location‑based bans on Kalshi prediction contracts, challenging a court‑backed geofencing framework and raising questions for regulators and traders.
Costco joined 66 other issuers in objecting to a third‑party tokenized version of its shares on OKXICE, as CFTC‑regulated perpetual contracts referencing the stock begin trading on Kalshi.
The CFTC issued new guidance demanding federally regulated prediction markets end state‑by‑state access restrictions or justify why they cannot, amid recent court‑ordered blocks on Kalshi.
At the Strobe Summit, former CFTC Chair Chris Giancarlo and DSA’s Adrian Wall discussed a hybrid regulatory approach for U.S. digital assets, emphasizing stablecoin infrastructure and DeFi oversight.
A U.S. judge gave the CFTC until Friday to defend its authority to allow retail trading of stock perpetual contracts, a move that could affect dozens of listings on Kalshi, Coinbase and Bitnomial.
Anchorage Digital filed for CFTC swap dealer status after its institutional crypto options activity topped the $8 billion threshold, aiming to meet growing demand for regulated counterparties.
Kalshi traded $4.15 billion in notional volume on Nov. 3, its highest weekday volume yet but still short of the $5.3 billion record set on Oct. 24.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit rejected requests from Kalshi and Coinbase to pause state enforcement actions in New York and Connecticut.
Deputy general counsel Maylea Ma of 1inch expects the SEC, CFTC and Treasury to drive U.S. crypto policy as midterm elections unfold, highlighting the limits of legislative action.
The CFTC cleared perpetual futures tied to individual U.S. stocks, allowing leveraged trading on domestic exchanges for the first time.
tZERO will merge with FG Imperii Acquisition Corp., valuing the company at $350 million and linking $12.5 million of the deal to future derivatives approvals and launches.
The CFTC filed a lawsuit against Utah to block state gambling restrictions on registered prediction markets, while the UK proposes tax reforms for stablecoins and crypto lending.
A $6.36 billion theft from Binance has highlighted the need for the CFTC’s proposed federal registration framework for U.S. leveraged crypto trading.
Utah prosecutors filed 14 criminal counts against prediction‑market platform Kalshi and its co‑founders for allegedly taking illegal sports bets in the state.
Bipartisan senators have issued a formal inquiry to prediction market leaders, demanding details on how they prevent insider trading and manipulation ahead of the upcoming midterms.
Kenson Investments is releasing a new educational series analyzing how prediction markets and continuous trading models are reshaping market structure, liquidity, and operational readiness.
The CFTC regulates futures, options and swaps, and it can extend that authority to crypto‑derived derivatives, but it lacks statutory power over spot crypto assets without new legislation.
The CFTC views them as designated contract markets and has ordered them to lift state geoblocks and comply with federal access rules to ensure liquidity and margin management.
A federal judge asked the CFTC to justify its authority to approve retail trading of stock perpetual futures; the outcome could affect listings on Kalshi, Coinbase Derivatives and other platforms.