CFTC Seeks Dismissal of CME's Lawsuit Over Approval of Crypto Perpetual Futures
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has asked a federal judge to dismiss the Chicago Mercantile Exchange’s lawsuit over its approval of cryptocurrency perpetual futures. The CFTC argues that CME failed to demonstrate any financial harm or increased competition due to the decision, calling the case 'much ado about nothing.' The dispute centers on whether contracts without an expiration date should be classified as swaps rather than futures under federal law. Kalshi's Bitcoin perpetual contract was approved by the CFTC in May 2026 and is now available for trading within a regulated U.S. market, which had previously been dominated by offshore platforms. The ruling could have broader implications beyond digital assets if it sets precedent on how similar contracts are classified across other markets like commodities or metals.
Tickers: $CME