Blockchain.com has submitted applications to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission for two regulatory licenses, seeking designation as a designated contract market (DCM) and registration as a futures commission merchant (FCM). These approvals would enable the platform to operate a futures exchange and broker derivatives trading for both retail and institutional customers within the United States. The move aims to integrate event contracts and cryptocurrency derivatives into a single interface, allowing users to manage digital assets and trade without switching between separate applications.
This expansion follows Blockchain.com’s earlier international rollout of prediction markets via a partnership with Polymarket and perpetual futures powered by Hyperliquid. The company joins eleven other firms that have filed for DCM licenses this year, while the CFTC has approved six new DCMs in 2026. Competitors such as Crypto.com, Gemini, and Coinbase are also active in the event contract space. The licensing push occurs as Blockchain.com prepares for a potential initial public offering, having confidentially submitted a draft registration statement to the Securities and Exchange Commission in May with a targeted valuation between $4 billion and $6 billion.
The application signals a strategic pivot toward consolidating fragmented crypto services under a unified regulatory umbrella in the US. By pursuing DCM and FCM status, Blockchain.com is not merely adding products but attempting to align its operational model with established financial infrastructure standards. This approach addresses user friction caused by app-switching while positioning the firm to compete directly with incumbents like Coinbase and Kalshi who have already navigated similar regulatory pathways. The timing suggests an effort to demonstrate regulatory maturity and diversified revenue streams ahead of a public listing.
