Coinbase Expands Its Futures Offerings to Include Cardano (ADA), Opening New Doors for Institutional Investors

In a significant development for the Cardano community, Coinbase has announced the introduction of Cardano (ADA) futures, opening new doors for institutional investors seeking exposure to the crypto asset.

Coinbase is expanding its futures product offerings with the addition of Cardano (ADA) futures on its derivatives exchange, according to a Friday announcement.

Announcing the development on X, Coinbase Institutional said that its derivatives arm has filed with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to self-certify futures contracts for both Natural Gas (NGS) and Cardano (ADA).

“We’re excited to announce that Coinbase Derivatives has filed with the CFTC to self-certify Natural Gas (NGS) futures and Cardano (ADA) futures. We anticipate going live with these products on Monday, March 31.,” said the statement.

For clarity, futures allow investors to bet on the future price direction of an underlying asset like ADA without needing to hold the asset itself.

Coinbase's move to include ADA futures in its portfolio could factor into the coin's price appreciation as it provides a compliant way for institutions to invest in the asset.

Coinbase Institutional, a division of the global cryptocurrency exchange, caters to large-scale investors, such as hedge funds, asset managers, and corporations.

It offers a range of financial products and services, including prime brokerage, staking, and derivative instruments, designed to meet the evolving needs of institutional clients.

In the last quarter of 2024, Coinbase Institutional reported a trading volume of $345 billion, which represents 78% of the platform’s total trades during that period.

One of the most significant milestones for Coinbase Institutional was the launch of the Coinbase Derivatives Exchange, formerly known as FairX, which the company acquired in 2022.

This acquisition enabled Coinbase to expand its regulated derivatives offerings further, catering to the growing demand for crypto futures and options among institutional investors.

Coinbase's move comes at a time when there's been a mixed legal and regulatory landscape for crypto in the U.S.

Coinbase had faced charges from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for allegedly selling unregistered securities, specifically listing several cryptocurrencies, including ADA, in its fundraising activities.

However, a federal judge dismissed the case against Coinbase in February 2025, ruling in favor of the exchange.

Coinbase's case was followed by a similar development with Kraken, which also had its case dismissed by a judge in March 2025.

Moreover, the SEC's case against Binance has been paused, pending further legal proceedings.

The SEC's actions against Coinbase, Kraken, and Binance in 2023 led to the classification of several cryptocurrencies, including ADA, as unregistered securities.

This sparked heated debate within the crypto community and broader discussions on the legal status of digital assets in the U.S.

However, the dismissal of the cases and the pending status of the Binance case might indicate a shift in favor of crypto institutions.

The launch of ADA futures on Coinbase Derivatives could mark a turning point for Cardano's institutional adoption as it provides a preferred avenue for institutions to invest in the asset.

This signals broader commitment to diversifying its portfolio and reinforcing its position as a leader in institutional crypto adoption.

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