Binance.US to Apply for CFTC Designated Contract License

Binance.US, the American cryptocurrency exchange, plans to formally apply for a key federal derivatives license next month, a move that would allow it to launch regulated prediction markets and futures products for U.S. customers. The announcement was made by CEO Stephen Gregory during a presentation at the Rare Evo blockchain conference in Las Vegas on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.

The company intends to seek a Designated Contract Market (DCM) license from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). This designation is the primary authorization required for a platform to legally offer futures, options, and event-based derivatives contracts, such as prediction markets, to U.S. investors. As of Wednesday, the CFTC had no record of a pending application from Binance.US, consistent with the company's stated plan to file in August.

Securing the license is a central component of the exchange's strategy to rebuild its U.S. business after years of regulatory challenges and a significant loss of market share. Following the dismissal of a Securities and Exchange Commission lawsuit against it in 2025, Binance.US has focused on expanding its service catalog. The new strategy centers on...