Singapore Exchange to Launch Bitcoin, Ethereum Perps for Institutional Investors

Singapore Exchange (SGX) Derivatives will launch Bitcoin and Ethereum perpetual futures on November 24, bringing institutional-grade standards to crypto's most traded derivative product within a regulated exchange-cleared framework, the company announced Monday.

The contracts provide a continuous, no-expiry structure favored in crypto markets, combined with the clearing and margining standards of listed derivatives. The launch enables institutional, accredited, and expert investors to access crypto perpetual futures through regulated infrastructure.

Perpetual futures account for more than $187 billion in daily average volumes globally, with Asia at the center of this growth, according to SGX. However, these flows remain largely priced and settled on offshore platforms outside of Asia. The exchange said bringing these flows on-exchange will enable institutions to trade and gain exposure to Bitcoin and Ethereum with greater confidence and scale.

"Digital assets have made their way into institutional investors' portfolio. We have taken the next logical and deliberate step – applying the same institutional discipline that underpins global markets to crypto's most traded pay-off," said Michael Syn, president of SGX Group. "By bringing the perpetuals into an exchange-cleared, regulated framework, we offer institutions the trust and scalability they have been waiting for."

The crypto perpetual contracts are benchmarked to iEdge CoinDesk Crypto Indices, aligning price discovery with institutional-grade benchmarks recognized across the industry.

"More than two-thirds of all crypto trading is in derivatives, and perpetual futures offer unique features and benefits that have made them a favourite," said Andy Baehr, head of product and research at CoinDesk Indices. "We are excited to see SGX Derivatives bring perpetual futures onshore with traditional margining and clearing and are delighted to support the benchmark rate for this innovative contract."