Polymarket Launches Perpetual Oil Futures Contracts
Polymarket has launched perpetual futures contracts tied to oil benchmarks Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI), expanding its offerings in a competitive market for round-the-clock trading. The move comes as rival Kalshi Inc. also seeks regulatory approval for similar products, highlighting growing interest in nonstop commodity derivatives. Polymarket's new contracts will trade offshore and are not available to U.S.-based traders, positioning the platform against exchanges like Hyperliquid and Binance. Perpetual futures allow trading without expiration dates and offer up to 20 times leverage, which has raised concerns about risk exposure among retail investors. These derivatives have gained popularity during events such as geopolitical conflicts when traditional markets are closed. The launch follows regulatory scrutiny over the impact of weekend trading on physical market prices. Kalshi's proposed contract would trade for five days a week and is designed to address U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission concerns about non-traditional hours, while Polymarket’s offering operates 24/7.
