Bitnomial, a Chicago-based derivatives exchange regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), has launched the first regulated Aptos (APT) futures contracts in the United States. This marks a significant expansion of the U.S. crypto derivatives market, providing a compliant venue for price discovery and risk management for the APT token.
The newly launched contracts feature monthly expirations and offer settlement in either U.S. dollars or Aptos tokens, depending on the trader's position direction. Margin can be posted in either USD or cryptocurrency through the Bitnomial Clearinghouse. While institutional access is live immediately, retail traders will gain access "in the coming weeks" via Bitnomial's retail trading platform, Botanical.
Bitnomial President Michael Dunn highlighted the strategic importance of a regulated futures market, stating it is "often a prerequisite for spot crypto ETF approval under the SEC’s generic listing standards." He drew a direct parallel to the paths taken by Bitcoin and Ethereum, where established futures markets preceded the approval of their spot ETFs. This launch could therefore lay the foundational groundwork for a future spot APT ETF.
Solomon Tesfaye, Chief Business Officer of Aptos Labs, endorsed the launch, noting that "Bitnomial’s CFTC-regulated exchange and clearinghouse provide the institutional framework that sophisticated market participants need." The product fills a gap, as most Aptos derivatives trading currently occurs on offshore, unregulated exchanges like Binance Futures and Bitget.
Bitnomial, founded in 2014, has a history of pioneering regulated crypto-native products in the U.S., having previously launched the first U.S.-regulated XRP futures and physical Solana futures. The company also announced plans to expand its Aptos offerings in the future, including perpetual contracts and options.
