CFTC Approves Crypto.com for Expanded Derivatives Operations

Crypto.com has secured an important license upgrade from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), giving its American division the ability to expand deeper into derivatives trading. The approval, reported by Finance Magnates, strengthens Crypto.com Derivatives North America (CDNA) by granting a derivatives clearing organization (DCO) license.

Good to Know

• CDNA previously held a license that limited its scope to fully collated derivatives and prediction markets.
• The new approval allows Crypto.com to sell margin derivatives in the United States.
• The CFTC is also reviewing rules for tokenized collateral and spot crypto contracts.

The new DCO license expands CDNA beyond its earlier authorization. With this approval, the platform can now provide a wider range of services that include margin derivatives, a key product in global financial markets.

Kris Marszalek, co-founder and chief executive officer of Crypto.com, welcomed the decision:

“The approval gives the company a complete set of CFTC-recognized licenses, allowing it to deliver integrated derivatives services alongside existing products such as spot markets, stocks, custody services, and payment cards.”

Marszalek explained that the company first filed its amendment request in June 2023, following discussions with the CFTC that began earlier that year.

Active U.S. Regulators

The decision reflects a broader shift within U.S. crypto oversight. The CFTC is currently considering whether to allow tokenized collateral, including stablecoins, in derivatives markets. Regulators are also weighing if platforms licensed under the European Union MiCA framework could one day operate within the United States.

In addition, the CFTC has begun evaluating whether registered U.S. futures exchanges could support direct trading of spot crypto asset contracts, a move that would further align derivatives and spot markets.