Coinbase International Exchange has reached a significant milestone, with CEO Brian Armstrong announcing that the platform has hit $1 billion in daily volume for the first time. This achievement is particularly noteworthy as the exchange is based in Bermuda and offers crypto perpetual futures trading exclusively to professional non-US traders.
One of the key offerings on Coinbase International Exchange is crypto perpetual futures, a type of derivatives contract that enables traders to speculate on the future price of digital assets without actually owning the underlying token. Unlike traditional futures contracts, perpetual futures do not have an expiry date, allowing traders to maintain their positions indefinitely.
The record-breaking volume seen on Coinbase International Exchange highlights the growing demand for such financial products among institutional investors. This trend is further evidenced by the surge in trading volumes of newly launched spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US.
According to Bloomberg senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas, a new batch of nine Bitcoin ETFs in the US experienced significant trading activity on Feb. 20, with approximately $2 billion in combined trading volume. Notably, VanEck’s Bitcoin Trust (HODL) saw trading volumes nearing $400 million for the day, setting a new record.
The sudden spike in trading volumes for the HODL fund raised eyebrows, particularly as it was accompanied by a substantial influx of individual trades. Balchunas speculated on the possible reasons behind this surge, pointing towards the influence of social media platforms like Reddit or TikTok in driving retail investor activity.
Despite the significant increase in trading volume, preliminary figures from Farside indicate only a modest inflow of $5.9 million into the HODL fund. This discrepancy between trading activity and fund inflows raises questions about the source of the sudden surge in trading volumes.
While the exact reasons behind the unprecedented growth in trading volumes remain unclear, the overall trend underscores the increasing interest and participation in the crypto market. As regulatory frameworks continue to evolve and new financial products gain traction, the landscape of digital asset trading is poised for further expansion and innovation.
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