Singapore Exchange to Launch Bitcoin and Crypto Perpetual Futures

Singapore Exchange announced Monday its derivatives arm will launch bitcoin and ether perpetual futures contracts on November 24. The move marks a significant expansion into institutional crypto trading.

🚨 JUST IN: SINGAPORE EXCHANGE TO LAUNCH BITCOIN AND CRYPTO PERPETUAL FUTURES. pic.twitter.com/X5H6iNkkld

— Coinwaft (@coinwaft) November 17, 2025

SGX Derivatives will offer the contracts exclusively to accredited, expert, and institutional investors. The products aim to combine global derivatives market structure with crypto trading flexibility.

Perpetual futures differ from traditional futures by having no expiration date. Traders can hold positions indefinitely, enabling continuous leveraged bets on crypto price movements.

The contracts will be benchmarked to iEdge CoinDesk Crypto Indices, providing real-time benchmarks and reference rates for bitcoin and ethereum.

Singapore Exchange Sees Institutional Demand

“Digital assets have made their way into institutional investors’ portfolios,”

said Michael Syn, president of SGX Group.

Syn described the launch as applying “the same institutional discipline that underpins global markets to crypto’s most traded payoff.”

Over two-thirds of all crypto trading occurs in derivatives markets. Perpetual futures account for more than $187 billion in daily average volumes globally.

Asia remains central to this growth, according to Andy Baehr, head of product and research at CoinDesk Indices. However, these flows largely occur on platforms outside of Asia.

The exchange operator does not view crypto as suitable for retail trading. Syn confirmed this position in an August interview with Dow Jones Newswires.

Singapore has tightened crypto trading regulations while maintaining its reputation as a fintech innovation hub. This combination attracts crypto firms seeking a regulated environment.

Launch Amid Market Volatility

SGX’s announcement comes during recent crypto market volatility following a monthslong rally. The Trump administration’s perceived industry-friendly stance has driven much of this activity.

The contracts will operate within a regulated, exchange-cleared framework. This structure addresses institutional concerns about counterparty risk and regulatory compliance.

Singapore’s approach contrasts with jurisdictions that have imposed stricter limitations on crypto trading. The city-state balances innovation with investor protection.

Meanwhile, Singapore’s central bank advances parallel initiatives in digital asset infrastructure. The Monetary Authority of Singapore plans to trial tokenized MAS bills next year.

MAS managing director Chia Der Jiun announced Thursday that draft legislation for stablecoin regulation will follow. The framework emphasizes sound reserve backing and redemption reliability.

Singapore to trial tokenised bills, bring in stablecoin laws, central bank chief says https://t.co/uy213iLcU1 https://t.co/uy213iLcU1

— Reuters (@Reuters) November 13, 2025

Three Singapore banks completed interbank overnight lending using Singapore dollar wholesale CBDC. DBS, OCBC, and UOB participated in the first live trial under the BLOOM initiative.

MAS will expand trials to include tokenized MAS bills settled with CBDC. The central bank continues exploring tokenized bank liabilities and regulated stablecoins for settlement.

Chia warned about risks from poorly regulated stablecoins, citing repeated de-pegging incidents. He compared potential instability to the 2008 money market fund crisis.

Tokenization has lifted off the ground. But have asset-backed tokens achieved escape velocity? Not yet,

Chia stated during his keynote at the Singapore FinTech Festival.

The stablecoin regulatory regime will require issuers operating in Singapore to meet specific reserve and redemption standards. Draft legislation is under preparation.