Coinbase Launches CFTC-Approved XRP Futures Contracts Through Its Derivatives Arm

This development marks a pivotal moment for institutional access to XRP altcoin, amid a broader derivatives market shakeup.

Coinbase, the largest US-based crypto exchange, has received regulatory approval from the CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission) to launch XRP futures contracts through its derivatives arm.

Coinbase Commences XRP Futures After CFTC Approval

Earlier this month, Coinbase announced its plans to introduce regulated XRP futures, having filed for the offering with the CFTC. BeInCrypto reported that the US-based exchange filed to self-certify the product.

“We’re excited to announce that Coinbase Derivatives has filed with the CFTC to self-certify XRP futures—bringing a regulated, capital-efficient way to gain exposure to one of the most liquid digital assets,” the firm stated.

Coinbase anticipated the contract launching on April 21. In the late hours of the US session on Monday, the exchange confirmed in a follow-up post that the product had gone live.

“Coinbase Derivatives, LLC now offers CFTC-regulated futures for XRP,” the exchange added.

This approval suggests a fast-track endorsement by the CFTC, potentially paving the way for broader crypto derivatives activity in the US

The agency has noticeably pivoted toward easing entry into the crypto derivatives sector. As BeInCrypto reported earlier this month, the CFTC rolled back several regulatory hurdles that had previously deterred traditional and crypto-native firms.

“As stated in today’s withdrawal letter, DCR [Division of Clearing and Risk] determined to withdraw the advisory to ensure that it does not suggest that its regulatory treatment of digital asset derivatives will vary from its treatment of other products,” the CFTC explained.

The changes simplify registration requirements and lower operational barriers for launching crypto derivatives products.

XRP Network Activity Surges 67.5%

With XRP historically boasting high liquidity and a global user base, it stands as a strong candidate for derivatives trading, especially in a newly liberalized environment.

Unlike more volatile mid-cap tokens, XRP benefits from a combination of legal clarity following the Ripple lawsuit outcome, broad exchange availability, and a sizable market cap. These elements make it attractive to institutional traders seeking capital-efficient exposure.

Recent on-chain data reveals a sharp uptick in network activity, further strengthening the case for XRP futures. Data shows XRP active addresses surged by 67.5% between April 19 and 20, ahead of Coinbase Derivatives’ XRP futures debut, climbing from 27,352 to 40,366.

The spike suggests growing engagement from retail and institutional participants, possibly in anticipation of expanded market access through derivatives.

However, market sentiment around XRP remains mixed. Despite the regulatory milestone, XRP’s spot price has decreased by 1.26% in the past 24 hours, indicating broader market consolidation and investor caution.

This suggests that while futures listings can enhance liquidity and price discovery over time, short-term price action often diverges from structural developments.

Coinbase’s move aligns with its broader strategy to position itself as a regulated gateway to crypto derivatives in the US. With the futures of Ethereum and Bitcoin already live, XRP now joins the lineup. This signals Coinbase’s confidence in XRP’s long-term viability despite lingering skepticism in parts of the US regulatory sphere.