Key Developments
Ripple, the blockchain firm closely associated with the XRP Ledger (XRP) network, said Thursday that clients on its Ripple Prime platform can now trade the full range of crypto futures listed on Coinbase Derivatives.
The move gives institutions a new way to access regulated crypto derivatives within a market overseen by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Ripple said that its Prime platform cleared more than $3 trillion in trading volume in 2025.
The offering includes nano bitcoin BTC$69,873.58 and nano ether (ETH) futures, which are smaller contracts designed to lower the capital needed to trade. Coinbase also lists futures tied to Solana and XRP in both standard and smaller sizes. The contracts are cleared through Nodal Clear, a U.S. clearing house.
Market Context
Crypto derivatives have become one of the fastest growing parts of the digital asset market. Many large trading firms prefer futures because they allow investors to gain exposure to price moves or hedge risk without holding the underlying tokens. Regulated futures markets in the U.S. have also drawn interest from institutions that need clear rules and centralized clearing.
What To Watch
The new service builds on Hidden Road, a futures commission merchant and prime broker Ripple acquired last year for $1.25 billion. The firm now operates as Ripple Prime and offers brokerage, clearing and financing services across several asset classes.
Ripple has been on an acquisition spree over the past year, buying a slew of companies to complement the firm’s digital assets offering for institutions and enterprises. On top of Hidden Road, the company bought stablecoin payments firm Rail for $200 million, and also acquired treasury technology provider GTreasury and crypto wallet infrastructure startup Palisade.
CORRECTION (March 5, 21:52 UTC): Updates headline and first bullet to clearing platform.
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