Singapore Exchange (SGX) is launching regulated perpetual futures for Bitcoin and Ethereum on November 24, aiming to offer institutions secure, transparent access to crypto markets.
TLDR:
- SGX Derivatives introduces Bitcoin and Ethereum perpetual futures for institutional, accredited, and expert investors.
- These contracts offer no-expiry trading under exchange-cleared systems.
- The products are benchmarked to iEdge CoinDesk Crypto Indices for trusted price discovery.
- SGX strengthens Singapore’s position as a digital asset trading hub in Asia.
What Happened?
The Singapore Exchange (SGX) Derivatives division is set to launch perpetual futures contracts for Bitcoin and Ethereum on November 24, 2025. These will be accessible to institutional, accredited, and expert investors, offering them a regulated environment to trade one of crypto’s most popular instruments.
Crypto Derivatives, Now in a Regulated Framework
Perpetual futures are a staple in the crypto world, representing over $187 billion in daily trading volume globally. Unlike traditional futures, they do not expire, providing continuous exposure to the underlying asset. While previously available mainly on offshore platforms, SGX is now bringing these into a centralized clearing system, giving institutional investors the confidence, transparency, and operational discipline they expect from conventional financial markets.
SGX President Michael Syn explained the rationale behind this move, stating,
“By bringing the perpetuals into an exchange-cleared, regulated framework, we offer institutions the trust and scalability they have been waiting for.”
With this launch, SGX aims to bridge the gap between crypto-native trading flexibility and the structure of traditional finance, particularly in Asia, where perpetual futures trading is already thriving.
Why the SGX Move Matters
- SGX’s regulated contracts offer familiar margining and clearing standards, which lower counterparty risks.
- The contracts will be benchmarked to the iEdge CoinDesk Bitcoin and Ethereum Indices, aligning with institutional-grade benchmarks.
- This setup enables real-time price discovery, crucial for portfolio management and capital efficiency.
- SGX’s entry could redirect a significant portion of offshore trading volume into a more secure, onshore venue.
By launching both Bitcoin and Ethereum Perpetual Futures, SGX not only expands its digital asset product lineup but also underscores Singapore’s ambition to be a leader in responsible crypto innovation.
Bridging Traditional Finance With Crypto
These perpetual contracts are structured to integrate with existing institutional infrastructure, allowing investors to trade crypto without directly holding the assets. This is particularly valuable for institutions seeking exposure without custody complications.
- Bitcoin Futures will reference the iEdge CoinDesk Bitcoin Index, ensuring transparent pricing.
- Ethereum Futures will follow the iEdge CoinDesk Ethereum Index, offering accurate, 24/7 valuation.
This dual offering enables investors to build more diversified, regulated crypto portfolios, backed by trusted benchmarks and centralized risk management protocols.
Daily Research News Takeaway
I think this is a big moment for crypto in Asia. We’ve seen crypto perpetuals dominate trading volumes, but most of that happened in murky, unregulated environments. With SGX stepping in, institutions finally have a trusted venue to trade these instruments. As someone who follows both fintech and traditional markets, this feels like a long-overdue bridge between the two worlds. If you’re an investor or a firm waiting for crypto to mature before jumping in, this is the kind of infrastructure that changes the game.
