CFTC Requests Comment on 24/7 Futures Trading and Perpetuals
CFTC issued a request for comment on extending standard futures contracts to 24/7 trading and on listing perpetual contracts referencing energy commodities.
The CFTC is seeking input on 24/7 futures trading and physically-delivered energy perpetuals, contract designs common in crypto markets. Continuous trading raises material implications for margining, clearing operations, market surveillance, staffing, and settlement cycles for energy market participants.
Signals structural evolution of futures markets toward continuous trading and crypto-style perpetual designs.
Action Required
Evaluate operational, risk, and surveillance readiness for continuous trading and perpetual contract structures.
Potentially transformative shift in market microstructure and product design for regulated derivatives.
Assess operational impact of 24/7 futures and perpetuals on margining, clearing, surveillance, and liquidity risk; prepare firm view for the comment process.
“CFTC issued a request for comment on the extension of standard futures contracts to 24/7 trading and the potential listing of perpetual contracts referencing physically delivered or storable energy commodities such as crude oil.”