Coinbase's Bold Move: 24/5 Perpetual Futures for US Stocks

William Harrison · 2026-09-18

Imagine trading your favorite US stocks around the clock, even on weekends. That's the future Coinbase is pushing for with its latest proposal to offer perpetual futures tied to individual stocks. It's a big shift from the usual 9:30 AM to 4 PM market hours, and it could change how everyday investors interact with the stock market. ### What Exactly Are Perpetual Futures? Perpetual futures are a type of derivative contract that doesn't have an expiration date. Unlike traditional futures, which expire at a set time, perpetuals can be held indefinitely. They're common in the crypto world, where they let traders speculate on price movements without owning the underlying asset. Coinbase wants to bring this model to US stocks, allowing traders to bet on whether a stock will go up or down, 24 hours a day, five days a week. But here's the catch: these contracts are complex and risky. They use leverage, which means you can amplify gains but also losses. And because they trade nearly around the clock, they can be volatile when news breaks outside regular market hours. ### Why Coinbase Is Making This Move Coinbase has been expanding beyond crypto. By offering stock perpetuals, it's trying to attract traders who want more flexibility and don't want to be tied to traditional market hours. The company sees a gap: while crypto trades 24/7, stocks don't. Bridging that gap could bring more users to its platform. "We believe that the future of finance is open, global, and always on," said a Coinbase spokesperson. "This is a natural next step in our mission to increase economic freedom." But it's not a done deal. The proposal is now with regulators, and approval is far from certain. The SEC and CFTC will scrutinize the risks, especially for retail investors. ### What This Means for Everyday Investors If approved, this could open up new opportunities for active traders. You could react to earnings reports after hours or hedge your portfolio on weekends. But it also means more chances to make impulsive decisions. Without the natural breaks of market close, trading can become addictive. - **Higher risk:** Leverage and 24/5 access can lead to significant losses if you're not careful. - **More flexibility:** You can trade when it suits you, not just when the market is open. - **Regulatory uncertainty:** It's unclear if or when this will be available. ### The Bigger Picture Coinbase's proposal is part of a larger trend: the blending of traditional finance and crypto. As boundaries blur, regulators are playing catch-up. For now, it's a waiting game. But if Coinbase succeeds, it could pressure other brokers to offer similar products. So, should you get excited? Maybe. But remember, with greater access comes greater responsibility. As always, never trade more than you can afford to lose. Stay tuned—this story is just beginning.