Kraken Parent Payward Plans U.S. Onchain Perpetual Futures Launch

Payward, the parent company of cryptocurrency exchange Kraken, plans to launch onchain perpetual futures markets for U.S. clients through the Hyperliquid decentralized trading protocol. The initiative remains subject to regulatory approval and oversight.

Perpetual Futures Platform

Payward announced the plans on Sept. 16, describing the proposed service as the first regulated U.S. market for onchain perpetual futures. Unlike traditional futures contracts, perpetual futures do not have an expiration date and typically use funding mechanisms to keep their prices aligned with the underlying assets.

The markets would be deployed through Hyperliquid, a blockchain-based trading protocol that supports perpetual contracts and other digital-asset markets. The proposed structure would bring Payward’s regulated operations together with Hyperliquid’s onchain trading infrastructure.

Regulatory Oversight

Payward has not indicated that the markets are immediately available to U.S. customers. The launch will depend on the applicable regulatory framework, approvals and ongoing oversight.

The planned offering reflects continued efforts by cryptocurrency companies to develop derivatives products that combine blockchain-based settlement with regulated access for customers in the United States.