CFTC Chair Says Crypto Perpetual Contracts May Soon Be Legal in the United States

Michael S. Selig, chair of the CFTC (U.S. derivatives regulator), said on March 26, 2026 that the agency is currently resolving the issue as the United States moves toward legalizing crypto perpetual contracts.

Summary

Michael S. Selig, chair of the CFTC (U.S. derivatives regulator), said on March 26, 2026 that true crypto perpetual contracts, also known as PERPs (futures-like contracts without expiry), will soon be legalized in the United States. He made the comment in a conversation with Anthony Pompliano. According to the source, the CFTC is currently working through the matter. The statement points to a possible regulatory shift in the U.S. market for crypto derivatives, an area that has remained more restricted than some offshore venues.

Terms & Concepts
  • CFTC: The Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the U.S. regulator that oversees derivatives markets including futures and certain crypto-related products.
  • Perpetual contracts: A type of derivatives contract with no expiration date, commonly used in crypto markets to let traders maintain leveraged positions over time.
  • Crypto derivatives: Financial contracts whose value is linked to cryptocurrencies, often used for hedging or speculative trading rather than direct ownership of tokens.