US exchanges invest $1.5B in crypto derivatives amid tariff surge

United States exchanges are increasing their focus on cryptocurrency derivatives as market uncertainty linked to President Donald Trump’s trade war plans drives demand for these financial instruments.

Since late 2024, exchanges such as Coinbase, Robinhood, Kraken, and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Group have introduced new crypto derivatives products and pursued multibillion-dollar acquisitions to strengthen their positions in the growing market.

The announcement of sweeping tariffs in April intensified trading activity, with crypto derivatives volumes spiking significantly.

“Institutional and sophisticated retail traders are increasingly turning to crypto derivatives platforms to navigate macroeconomic risks and uncertainty brought on by escalated tariff policies and global trade tensions,” said David Siemer, CEO of asset manager Wave Digital Assets.

He added that US exchanges are experiencing “record-breaking surges in trading activity” while expanding offerings amid expectations of clearer regulation.

Futures contracts allow traders to buy or sell assets at a future date, often using leverage to amplify returns.

Coinbase launched futures tied to altcoins such as Solana (CRYPTO:SOL) and XRP (CRYPTO:XRP), while Robinhood introduced Bitcoin futures in February.

In March, CME Group listed its first Solana futures contracts, which saw over $12 billion in volume on the first trading day.

Coinbase is reportedly negotiating to buy crypto derivatives exchange Deribit in a multibillion-dollar deal.

“The recent wave of tariffs has transformed crypto derivatives exchanges into critical market infrastructure,” said Nic Roberts-Huntley, CEO of Web3 developer Blueprint Finance.

He noted that while traditional markets struggled under tariff pressures, derivatives platforms have “flourished, serving both as speculative venues and protective hedging mechanisms in a fragmenting global trade landscape.”