Coinbase Eyes Solana Futures Launch as It Ramps Up Derivatives Push

Coinbase intends to launch cash-settled Solana futures contracts on its regulated derivatives exchange as it attempts to expand its offerings to bolster its bottom line and compete with established players.

“We are actively working with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to file and list Solana futures on the Coinbase Derivatives Exchange,” a spokesperson confirmed with Decrypt late Thursday.

If approved, the contracts would offer investors a unique instrument compared to those provided by Chicago-headquartered CME Group, which is currently limited to Bitcoin and Ethereum futures and options.

In the third quarter of 2024, Coinbase reported total transaction revenue of $573 million, a 27% decrease from the previous quarter. That figure encompasses all transaction types, including spot and derivatives trading.

CME Group’s crypto product suite, meanwhile, achieved record performance in 2024, with an average daily volume of 116,000 contracts, marking a 203% year-over-year increase, according to its own figures.

Coinbase seeks to offer contracts representing 100 SOL tokens each, with an approximate value of $25,000 at current prices, according to a document reviewed by Decrypt.

Though an initial listing date for the contracts is earmarked to begin trading “on or after February 18, “the actual date is still tentative,” Decrypt was told.

When asked why the document was no longer available on Coinbase’s website, the spokesperson said the exchange provider had “since taken it down while we work with the CFTC to list Solana futures.”

The move comes as Solana’s volatility metrics show more active price movement than major cryptos, with 30-day volatility at 3.9% compared to Bitcoin’s 2.3% and Ethereum’s 3.1%.

Solana is the industry’s fifth-largest token, featuring a market cap exceeding $114.6 billion, CoinGecko data shows.

To guard against market manipulation, Coinbase has designed a sophisticated settlement mechanism that uses 20 three-minute intervals over a one-hour window, pulling data from its spot trading venue.

“Given that the Solana token is traded on multiple exchanges both in the United States and abroad, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to manipulate the price of the underlying market,” the document reads.

The exchange sets position limits at 3,500 contracts aggregate—approximately 30% lower than its Bitcoin futures when measured against market capitalization—suggesting a cautious approach to risk management.

The contracts will include 10% hourly price fluctuation limits and sophisticated risk controls, including kill switches and exposure limits. Nodal Clear will handle clearing services.

Frankfurt-based MarketVector Indexes GmbH will provide the benchmark rate for settlement prices, adding a layer of regulatory oversight as the firm is supervised by German financial watchdog BaFin, the document reads.

Edited by Sebastian Sinclair