Singapore SGX Set to Launch Bitcoin and Ether Perpetual Futures as Institutional Demand Grows
Singapore exchange moves deeper into crypto derivatives while regulators keep tight control
Singapore’s main derivatives exchange is preparing to launch Bitcoin and Ether perpetual futures later this month, a move that signals fast-growing institutional demand for regulated crypto exposure in Asia.
SGX Derivatives said the new products are designed for professional and accredited investors who want to trade Bitcoin and Ether price movements without holding the actual tokens. Perpetual futures have no expiry date and are among the most heavily traded instruments in global crypto markets.
Trading is scheduled to begin on Nov. 24, subject to standard launch conditions. The contracts will be regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), reinforcing the city-state’s strategy of supporting institutional crypto activity while limiting retail speculation.
This will be the second set of Bitcoin and Ether perpetual futures available in Singapore. EDXM International was first to market in July with a suite of 44 derivatives products, including futures linked to Solana and XRP, highlighting growing competition in the region’s crypto derivatives space.
The new SGX products arrive as Singapore continues to balance innovation with strict oversight. Under the Financial Services and Markets Act passed in 2022, MAS has expanded powers to supervise crypto firms based in Singapore even when they serve overseas users.
Crypto service providers have been ordered to stop offering unlicensed digital token services to foreign customers or secure the appropriate approvals. Those that break the rules face penalties of up to 250,000 Singapore dollars (around $200,000) and potential jail terms of up to three years.
Cryptocurrencies are legal in Singapore but are not classified as legal tender. Depending on how they are structured, they may be treated as digital payment tokens, securities or utility tokens. Despite its cautious stance, Singapore still ranks 15th worldwide for crypto adoption, according to blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis.
