Bitnomial becomes the first U.S. exchange to offer regulated Tezos (XTZ) futures, expanding crypto derivatives access for both retail and institutional traders.
Quick summary – TLDR:
- Bitnomial has launched the first U.S.-regulated Tezos (XTZ) futures, live as of February 4, 2026.
- Traders can now access XTZ futures using either crypto or USD margin, increasing capital efficiency.
- This marks a major step for Tezos toward broader institutional adoption and possible ETF approval.
- Bitnomial’s Crypto Complex now includes XTZ, joining regulated contracts for XRP, ADA, and USDC.
What Happened?
Bitnomial Exchange, a CFTC-regulated derivatives platform based in Chicago, has officially launched the first-ever Tezos (XTZ) futures contracts in the United States. This new listing allows both institutional and retail traders to gain price exposure to XTZ through a fully regulated futures market.
📰Bitnomial launches the first CFTC-regulated spot crypto exchange in the U.S.
— Bitnomial (@Bitnomial) December 4, 2025
Leveraged spot, perpetuals, futures, options are all on one, federally regulated platform.https://t.co/u1XBrTnQzj pic.twitter.com/VqfRBQaDrE
Tezos Gets Its First U.S. Futures Listing
The launch of XTZ futures on Bitnomial represents a significant moment for both the Tezos blockchain and the broader U.S. crypto market. This is the first time a regulated U.S. exchange has listed Tezos futures, offering a new tool for risk management, speculation, and price discovery.
- The contracts are now live on Bitnomial Exchange, with trading available through its retail platform, Botanical.
- Traders can post either cryptocurrency or U.S. dollars as margin, which allows more flexibility compared to traditional cash-only margining.
- The contracts are delivery-settled and crypto-margined, enabling portfolio margining across digital asset positions for improved capital efficiency.
Michael Dunn, President of Bitnomial Exchange, said:
He added that a CFTC-regulated futures market with six months of trading history satisfies a key requirement under the SEC’s generic listing standards for future spot ETFs.
Why It Matters for Tezos and the Crypto Market?
The arrival of regulated futures is widely viewed as a critical milestone for any digital asset, especially when it comes to institutional adoption. Futures contracts provide a regulated, standardized environment for trading, which institutional investors require before participating in a meaningful way.
Arthur Breitman, co-founder of Tezos, noted:
This milestone positions Tezos as a more serious player in blockchain infrastructure. Known for its on-chain governance and self-upgrading capabilities, Tezos has long prioritized long-term scalability and security over short-term hype.
- Tezos now features a sub-50ms latency EVM layer, a native data availability layer, and rollups for scaling.
- The network has processed hundreds of millions of transactions since 2018, powering sectors like tokenized finance, gaming, and digital ownership.
Bitnomial’s Broader Push into Altcoin Futures
Bitnomial has been aggressively expanding its offering of regulated crypto derivatives beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum. Before listing XTZ, the exchange had already introduced futures for XRP, Cardano (ADA), and Aptos (APT).
Notably, Bitnomial faced regulatory tension in 2024 when it attempted to self-certify XRP futures. The SEC challenged the move, prompting a legal dispute that was later dropped. Eventually, Bitnomial did launch XRP futures in March 2025, citing changes in the SEC’s approach to crypto.
With Tezos now in the mix, Bitnomial’s Crypto Complex® continues to grow. The company also plans to introduce XTZ perpetual futures and options in the future, further expanding its suite of digital asset products.
SQ Magazine Takeaway
Honestly, this is a big deal for Tezos. While other chains have long been part of the U.S. regulated derivatives scene, Tezos is just now breaking into that space. And it’s doing it through a legit platform like Bitnomial, which already has experience dealing with the CFTC and SEC. This isn’t just about giving traders a new asset to speculate on. It’s a sign that Tezos is maturing and might finally be taken more seriously by U.S. institutions. Plus, the move sets the stage for a potential XTZ spot ETF down the line. If you’re into Tezos or just watching how crypto goes mainstream, this is one to keep an eye on.
