Key Insights
- •Trading of Singapore’s newly launched SGX Bitcoin Perpetual Futures and the SGX Ethereum Perpetual Futures will kick off on November 24, 2025.
- •The crypto perpetual futures products are built for institutions, with strong risk controls like dynamic margins, volatility checks, and contingency measures.
- •Retail investors won’t be able to trade these crypto products on SGX. Instead, those seeking traditional-market exposure to digital assets will have to look towards Hong Kong’s coin-tracking ETFs.
Singapore To Introduce Perpetual Bitcoin & Ethereum Futures
Singapore’s stock exchange announced it will introduce Bitcoin and Ethereum perpetual futures for institutional traders. According to the official announcement, these crypto-linked products are designed to make it easy for institutional investors to participate in leveraged digital assets trading.
SGX emphasized that its crypto perpetual futures are built with institutions in mind, incorporating robust risk controls such as dynamic margins, volatility checks, and contingency measures. The exchange stated that these products will assist investors in managing crypto risks while simultaneously exploring opportunities within the continuously expanding digital asset market.
Launch of Perpetual Bitcoin & Ethereum Futures on SGX
Trading of Singapore’s new SGX Bitcoin Perpetual Futures and the SGX Ethereum Perpetual Futures is scheduled to commence on November 24. This launch is anticipated to be a convergence point for institutional demand, crypto-native ecosystems, and TradeFi. It opens avenues for traders to leverage contracts offering perpetual payouts without a fixed expiry date.
SGX confirmed that its new crypto futures contracts will be benchmarked against the iEdge CoinDesk Crypto Indices. This will provide professional investors in Singapore with the flexibility to trade based on the price movements of the two largest digital assets.
Recently, derivative markets have played a significant role in cryptocurrency activity, with perpetual futures emerging as a preferred choice among traders.
Asia Dominates Perpetual Futures Trading Volumes
SGX characterized this development as a “game-changer,” highlighting the substantial daily trading volume of over $187 billion generated by perpetual futures globally, a significant portion of which originates from Asia.
The stock exchange also pointed out that a majority of this activity currently takes place on offshore platforms. By facilitating this trading onshore, SGX aims to enable institutions to trade Bitcoin and Ethereum with greater confidence and at scale.
The exchange reported positive initial feedback from market participants regarding the launch. Professional traders, according to SGX, view this move as a strategic initiative to enhance the accessibility and openness of crypto assets to institutional investors.
Retail Traders Excluded from New Crypto-linked Futures Products
However, retail investors will not have access to these new crypto products on SGX. Individuals seeking exposure to digital assets through traditional markets are advised to consider Hong Kong’s coin-tracking ETFs, which serve as a suitable alternative for those who prefer not to directly purchase and hold the tokens.
Officials noted that Singapore continues to discourage retail speculation in digital currencies due to their inherent volatility.
Linh Tran, an analyst at XS.com, commented on the recent market movements, observing that Bitcoin has experienced a decline in recent days, falling to a six-month low below $93,000 over the weekend.
The analyst further indicated that Bitcoin has depreciated by nearly 25% from its peak near $125,000 in early October. He added that the current sell-off is not solely driven by retail traders, as institutional flows are also retracting in response to broader economic signals.
Loh Boon Chye, CEO of SGX, confirmed that the exchange currently has no plans to offer Bitcoin ETFs. He explained that the prevailing demand is centered on institutional-grade products such as derivatives and perpetual contracts, and any decision regarding an ETF launch would be contingent upon market demand.