Interactive Brokers is expanding its crypto derivatives lineup through a new offering of nano Bitcoin contracts listed by Coinbase Derivatives, giving eligible clients another regulated way to gain exposure to digital assets.
The broker said the new contracts are now available for trading on the IBKR platform with both monthly expirations and perpetual-style structures.
Trading will be available around the clock, aligning with the always-on nature of crypto markets, with exceptions for scheduled exchange maintenance on Fridays from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern time.
The products are designed to lower the entry point for futures traders. Nano Bitcoin futures represent 0.01 Bitcoin per contract, while nano Ether futures represent 0.10 Ether. The smaller sizing allows traders to take more precise positions and manage risk with lower capital requirements compared with standard futures contracts.
Interactive Brokers Chief Executive Officer Milan Galik said demand has grown for perpetual-style crypto futures because they provide long-dated exposure and added flexibility. He framed the launch as part of the firm’s broader effort to expand access to crypto-related products within a regulated framework.
“By offering nano-sized Bitcoin and Ether futures on a regulated exchange, we are expanding access to these products with smaller contract sizes and lower margin requirements,” Galik said in a company press release.
Perpetual-style futures are structured to track the spot price of the underlying cryptocurrency, reducing the need for frequent contract rollovers. The combination of perpetual-style design and nano sizing is intended to make these contracts more accessible for a wider range of market participants.
Interactive Brokers’ push for bitcoin exposure
The launch reflects Interactive Brokers’ push to integrate digital asset exposure into its multi-asset trading platform, which offers access to more than 170 markets worldwide. Clients can trade traditional securities alongside crypto-related instruments through a single account.
Coinbase Institutional also highlighted the partnership as part of its effort to broaden access to regulated crypto derivatives in the United States.
“We’re pleased to collaborate with Interactive Brokers to expand access to regulated crypto derivatives,” said Greg Tusar, co-CEO of Coinbase Institutional. “These nano sized contracts are designed to lower the barrier to entry and give more investors the ability to engage with digital assets in a secure and regulated environment.”
Interactive Brokers noted that eligibility to trade crypto-related products depends on jurisdiction, reflecting differing regulatory requirements across regions.
Source: https://bitcoinmagazine.com/news/interactive-brokers-nano-bitcoin-futures
