Blockchain.com applies for US regulatory license, plans to launch prediction markets and crypto derivatives trading

BlockBeats news, October 9 — According to CNBC, crypto asset platform Blockchain.com has submitted two license applications to the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), planning to offer event contracts and cryptocurrency derivatives trading services to U.S. retail and institutional clients.

Specifically, Blockchain.com is applying to become a Designated Contract Market (DCM) to operate a regulated futures trading platform, while also applying for Futures Commission Merchant (FCM) registration to provide derivatives brokerage services. Co-founder and CEO Peter Smith said the company wants to enable users to manage digital assets, trade derivatives, and trade on real-world events on the same platform.

Earlier this year, Blockchain.com partnered with Polymarket to offer prediction market services to select users, and provided perpetual contract trading to some international clients through Hyperliquid. These applications signal that it is seeking to expand related businesses into the U.S. market.

According to CNBC statistics, 12 companies including Blockchain.com have applied for CFTC Designated Contract Market licenses this year, and regulators have approved 6 new trading platforms during the year. As crypto trading platforms and prediction markets accelerate their convergence, more and more companies are seeking to enter the event contracts and derivatives market.

Additionally, Blockchain.com is also advancing its plans to go public. The company confidentially submitted a draft IPO registration to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in May this year. Bloomberg previously reported that the company plans to list this year, with a target valuation of $4 billion to $6 billion.