Blockchain.com Files With CFTC to Launch US Prediction Markets and Crypto Derivatives

Blockchain.com is pushing to operate its own regulated venue for event contracts and cryptocurrency derivatives in the United States, filing two applications with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as the prediction-market sector draws a wave of new entrants.

The digital asset platform wants to be designated as a futures exchange through a designated contract market license, and separately registered as a futures commission merchant so it can act as a broker for derivatives products. The company confirmed the filings on Thursday, saying the approvals would allow it to serve both retail and institutional customers in the U.S. No launch date has been set and the CFTC has not granted either license.

Peter Smith, chief executive and co-founder of Blockchain.com, framed the move as an effort to consolidate what traders currently have to do across multiple platforms. "Users should be able to manage their digital assets, trade derivatives, and take positions on real-world events easily, without jumping between different apps," he said in a statement. "Our DCM and FCM applications build toward that future in the U.S. through the appropriate regulatory frameworks."

Blockchain.com has already dipped into the category abroad. Earlier this year it began offering prediction markets to some international customers through a partnership with Polymarket, along with perpetual futures powered by the decentralized exchange Hyperliquid. A CFTC license would let the company run its own event-contract marketplace rather than route those products through third parties.