Crypto Giant Coinbase Defies Regulatory Hurdles, Launches Offshore Derivatives Exchange

Coinbase Global Inc. COIN is diversifying its business by launching an international derivatives exchange for institutional crypto traders outside the United States.

The Coinbase International Exchange will list Bitcoin BTC/USD and Ether ETH/USD perpetual futures starting this week, after receiving a license from the Bermuda Monetary Authority in April.

The San Francisco-based company is entering a market largely occupied by offshore players such as Binance BNB/USD and the now-collapsed FTX FTT/USD.

Coinbase is grappling with legal uncertainty in the U.S., as it received a Wells Notice from the Securities and Exchange Commission in March, indicating potential legal action.

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A company spokesperson told Bloomberg, "Coinbase continues to await approval to be able to offer futures directly to our customers in the U.S." Initially, the international exchange in Bermuda will only be available to non-US institutional clients.

Perpetual futures, popular among crypto traders for hedging or speculating on the price of underlying tokens using leverage, don't have an expiration date.

Coinbase International Exchange will initially offer up to five times leverage, and all trading will be settled in USD Coin, the stablecoin issued by Circle Internet Financial Ltd. USDC/USD, a Coinbase partner.

In a blog post, Coinbase stated its commitment to the U.S. market but expressed disappointment in the country's "regulation by enforcement" approach.

The company derived 84% of its revenue from the U.S. last year.

Some earlier attempts at global expansion, such as operations in Japan, faced challenges and were eventually shut down.

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