Polymarket Launches 24/7 Perpetual Futures
The platform now offers contracts tied to oil, crypto, stocks, and commodities like gold and silver, with up to 20 times leverage available to traders, putting it in competition with Hyperliquid and Binance
Polymarket has launched perpetual futures contracts for 24/7 trading, including contracts tied to oil, crypto, stocks, and commodities like gold and silver. The launch puts Polymarket in competition with other exchanges, including Hyperliquid and Binance.
The contracts will trade offshore and won't be available to US-based traders. This move comes as rival Kalshi Inc. seeks regulatory approval for its own perpetual futures contract linked to West Texas Intermediate oil. If approved, Kalshi's contract would be the first of its kind to trade on a regulated US platform.
Polymarket's contracts will allow traders to use up to 20 times leverage, amplifying the risk they take with each trade. The company first announced plans for the launch in April and made the official announcement on Thursday.
## What's at Stake The launch of perpetual futures contracts by Polymarket and the potential approval of Kalshi's contract have significant implications for the trading market. Perpetual futures are derivatives with no expiration date and built-in leverage, allowing customers to trade continuously without the constraints of traditional futures markets.
## Why it Matters The introduction of perpetual futures contracts by Polymarket and the potential entry of Kalshi into the market highlights the growing demand for round-the-clock access to commodities like oil. This development also raises questions about the potential impact of perpetual futures on price discovery in physical markets. As the market continues to evolve, it will be important to monitor the effects of these contracts on trading activity and market volatility.
The differences between Polymarket and Kalshi's offerings are notable. Unlike Polymarket's nonstop contract, Kalshi's oil-linked contract would trade 24 hours a day, five days a week. This structure was designed to address regulatory concerns raised in a Commodity Futures Trading Commission review of trading practices.
As the market for perpetual futures continues to grow, it will be important to watch how Polymarket and its competitors navigate the regulatory landscape and respond to changing market conditions.
