Chicago-based crypto exchange Bitnomial has launched monthly futures contracts tied to the Layer-1 blockchain Aptos’ native token, expanding the availability of APT derivatives on regulated US markets.
The contracts will be available to institutional clients through Bitnomial’s clearing members, with retail access expected in the coming weeks via the company’s Botanical platform.
According to an announcement, the contracts feature monthly expirations and settle in either US dollars or Aptos’ native APT token, depending on the position. Monthly futures are standardized derivatives that allow traders to gain price exposure over a defined period without holding the underlying asset.
Michael Dunn, president of Bitnomial, stated that “a regulated futures market is a prerequisite for spot crypto ETF approval under the SEC’s generic listing standards.” He added that the contracts allow institutions to gain APT exposure using the same derivatives infrastructure they already utilize for Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH), including portfolio margining across positions.
The contracts are regulated by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), according to the company.
The Slow Expansion of US-Regulated Crypto Futures
US-regulated crypto futures markets beyond the largest digital assets remain limited. Bitnomial is emerging as one of the few venues offering exchange-native futures tied to altcoins. Bringing these products to market has involved navigating a complex and evolving regulatory landscape.
In August 2024, Bitnomial filed to list XRP futures through a self-certification with the CFTC. However, this was challenged by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which argued that the contracts required Bitnomial to register as a securities exchange.
After filing a lawsuit against the SEC in October 2025, Bitnomial dropped the case in March. The company subsequently launched regulated XRP futures for US users later that month, citing “the SEC’s evolving policies on crypto.”
Other US exchanges have adopted a more incremental strategy for regulated crypto futures.
Coinbase Derivatives Exchange launched institutional futures contracts tied to Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) under CFTC regulation in June 2023. Access to retail-sized contracts was not expanded until May 2025.
In July 2025, Kraken launched a US derivatives platform that provides domestic traders with access to cryptocurrency futures listed on CME Group. The exchange also offers an APT perpetual futures contract on its global platform.
In March 2025, Kraken announced plans to acquire NinjaTrader for approximately $1.5 billion. This deal is intended to enhance its derivatives capabilities through NinjaTrader’s CFTC-registered infrastructure.