Singapore Exchange (SGX) to Introduce Bitcoin Perpetual Futures Contracts

Targeting institutional clients and professional investors, the contracts are scheduled to launch in the second half of 2025.

Singapore Exchange (SGX) is set to introduce Bitcoin perpetual futures, offering traders access to the cryptocurrency derivatives market, according to a report by Bloomberg.

The contracts, set to launch in the second half of 2025, will be strictly limited to institutional clients and professional investors, with retail traders excluded from participation.

The move follows SGX’s goal to serve as a bridge between traditional financial markets and the cryptocurrency sector. With the addition of Bitcoin perpetual futures, the exchange aims to “significantly expand institutional market access,” a spokesperson highlighted.

However, the launch is contingent on regulatory approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), which has yet to grant the green light.

Perpetual futures have no expiration date, unlike conventional futures, allowing traders to speculate on price movements without holding the underlying asset. First introduced by BitMEX in 2016, Bitcoin perpetual contracts are widely available on crypto exchanges including Binance and OKX but are also known for playing a role in FTX's downfall.

SGX, recognized for its Aa2 credit rating from Moody’s, aims to bring trust and stability to the cryptocurrency market.

Earlier this year, EDX Markets, a digital-asset exchange backed by Citadel Securities in Singapore, announced similar offerings. In Japan, Osaka Dojima Exchange Inc., which dates back to the 18th century, is also seeking approval to offer Bitcoin futures.

The addition of crypto products to SGX's offerings follows Singapore's broader acceptance of crypto firms. Last week, Fly Wing Technologies, a subsidiary of crypto financial services platform Matrixport, was granted a Major Payment Institution (MPI) License by MAS.

The license, crucial for facilitating cross-border money transfers and digital payment token services within Singapore, a leading global fintech hub, was officially granted on March 1, 2025.

During the same period, Hex Trust Group, a digital asset financial institution specializing in institutional-grade custody and trading solutions, also acquired an MPI from MAS.