Moscow Exchange launches 5 crypto perpetual futures as demand tops 600 billion rubles

Moscow Exchange will launch perpetual futures tied to five major cryptocurrencies on Sept. 22, giving qualified investors continuous price exposure to Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and Tron without requiring them to own the underlying assets.

The new contracts are BTCUSDF, ETHUSDF, SOLUSDF, XRPUSDF, and TRXUSDF. Each tracks a corresponding MOEX crypto index and automatically rolls over each day, allowing investors to maintain their positions without manually switching to a new contract at expiration.

Unlike spot crypto trading, the futures do not deliver any cryptocurrency. They are quoted against US dollar-denominated indexes, while profits and losses are settled in Russian rubles.

Exposure without ownership

The structure means investors can gain exposure to crypto price movements without holding Bitcoin, Ether or other tokens themselves.

Access is limited to qualified investors, according to MOEX. The products therefore expand the exchange's existing derivatives market rather than opening spot crypto trading to retail investors.

Investors must also post collateral to trade the contracts. MOEX set first-tier minimum margin rates at 22% for Bitcoin, 35% for Ether, 38% for Solana, 43% for XRP, and 30% for Tron. The requirements mean traders must commit a portion of a position's value as collateral, with XRP carrying the highest initial margin requirement among the five contracts.