Coinbase Launches Crypto Futures Trading for European Investors

March 10, 2026

Coinbase officially launched regulated crypto futures trading for retail and institutional investors in 26 European countries on March 9, 2026. This has put an end to the reliance on offshore platforms to access derivatives markets for European crypto traders. 

Key Takeaways 

  • Coinbase made futures contracts available to trade for its customers in 26 European countries, including Germany, France, and the Netherlands.
  • The regulated contracts will be available through Coinbase Advanced. 
  • Users will be able to trade a variety of crypto contracts, from Bitcoin to Solana, as well as equity-index contracts. 

As mentioned before, European crypto traders have relied on offshore to trade and access derivatives markets. Due to strict regulations and limited local options, access to various financial systems operating outside is limited.

Coinbase Advanced For European Investors 

Coinbase Global, Inc. is a leading, publicly traded cryptocurrency exchange platform founded in 2012. The exchange has launched derivative trading in 26 European countries through its Coinbase Advanced platform. The service operates under a MiFID-regulated entity, allowing traders to access crypto futures products within a recognized regulatory framework. 

The markets include European countries, such as Germany, France, and the Netherlands, where the service is already live. 

Regulated Launch 

The derivatives services operate through Coinbase Financial Services Europe Ltd. It holds a license from the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm operates under CySEC license 374/19, providing investment services across multiple European jurisdictions. 

For traders in Europe, this launch provides an alternative to years of relying on offshore derivatives platforms. Many European regulators have pressed for stronger oversight of crypto trading activity. Coinbase aims to offer derivatives trading according to the European financial rules while maintaining access to crypto markets. 

Products for derivatives 

The derivatives include futures tied to Bitcoin and Solana. The platform also offers equity index futures, including the Mag7+ Crypto Equity Index, which merges major technology stocks with digital asset exposure. 

Coinbase offers two primary types of cash-settled futures contracts, each with a distinct settlement procedure: 

  • Perpetual-style futures: To keep the contract price aligned with the underlying asset. The long-dated futures contracts with 5-year expiries use an hourly funding mechanism and are settled once per day. 
  • Dated Contracts: These contracts have specific monthly or quarterly expiration dates. They are marked to market daily based on official exchange settlement prices. If held to expiry, they are cash-settled. 

Trading details 

Traders can access up to 10x leverage on select contracts, such as BTC, ETH, and equity indices, and up to 4x-5x leverage on other products. Coinbase is making derivatives trading more accessible with fees as low as 0.02% per contract. 

MiCA reshaping digital asset firms 

Coinbase’s launch comes when Europe is preparing for full enforcement of the Markets in Crypto Assets regulation, known as MiCA. The regulation is expected to adapt how digital asset firms operate across the European Union. The final enforcement deadline is scheduled for mid 2026 

So far, many European traders have selected offshore platforms that operate outside regulatory oversight. With the enforcement of rules, these channels become harder to use.

Coinbase’s Global Expansion Strategy 

Coinbase’s European futures rollout aligns with the firm’s broader expansion strategy. It includes expanding into equities, prediction markets, commodities, and derivatives products across spot, futures, and options trading. 

Eligible users can access futures through the derivatives tab on Coinbase Advanced via web or mobile. 

Users also have to undergo eligibility checks, KYC, and fund accounts.

Access will be gradually rolled out across the 26 countries that are included in the launch. 

Also Read: FLOKI Crypto Price Prediction 2026-2030: Expert Analysis & Market Outlook