Platform Kalshi Asks CFTC to Approve Perpetual Futures on US500 Index and Copper

cryptonews.ruPublished on 2026-08-19Last updated on 2026-08-19

Abstract

Kalshi has filed an application with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) seeking approval to launch perpetual futures contracts. The proposed products include a "US500" contract tied to the MerQube US Large Cap Index, with a notional value based on the index multiplied by $1 and a position accountability level of $25 million. Additionally, the platform aims to introduce a "COPPERPERP" perpetual futures contract linked to the spot price of copper per pound via the Pyth Network feed, where one full contract represents 1,000 pounds of copper. This move is part of Kalshi's ongoing expansion from a prediction market into a financial exchange, following previous CFTC approvals for its Bitcoin perpetual futures and subsequent launches of Ethereum and XRP contracts. The company's shift occurs amidst regulatory scrutiny, including recent legal action from Baltimore authorities over its sports-related contracts.

Company Kalshi has filed an application with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to launch perpetual futures tied to stock indices and copper.

According to the documents, the platform intends to offer its traders a "US500 contract," which will track the MerQube US Large Cap Index of 500 large U.S. companies. The notional value of a full contract equals the index value multiplied by $1, and the position accountability level is set at $25 million in market value.

Furthermore, the company wants to launch options tied to copper. The "COPPERPERP contract" will be a perpetual futures contract pegged to the spot price of copper in dollars per pound via the Pyth Network XCU/USD price feed. One full contract corresponds to 1,000 pounds of copper.

These are not Kalshi's first applications to launch perpetual futures. In May, the CFTC approved the platform's Bitcoin perpetual futures, and later the platform launched contracts on Ethereum and XRP.

The company's push to gradually transform from a prediction market into a financial exchange comes amid pressure from authorities in various countries and states. The Happy Coin News editorial reported that authorities in the city of Baltimore have filed a lawsuit against Kalshi and Polymarket over sports contracts.

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Related Questions

QWhat is Kalshi requesting from the CFTC regarding US500 and copper?

AKalshi is requesting approval from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to launch perpetual futures contracts linked to a US stock index and copper.

QWhat specific index will the proposed 'US500' perpetual futures contract track?

AThe proposed 'US500' contract will track the MerQube US Large Cap Index, which follows 500 large US companies.

QHow is the proposed copper perpetual futures contract ('COPPERPERP') linked to the spot price?

AThe 'COPPERPERP' contract will be tied to the spot price of copper in dollars per pound through the Pyth Network XCU/USD price feed.

QHas the CFTC approved any other perpetual futures from Kalshi before this application?

AYes, in May the CFTC approved a perpetual Bitcoin futures contract from Kalshi. The platform later also launched contracts on Ethereum and XRP.

QWhat pressure is Kalshi facing as it transforms from a prediction market to a financial exchange?

AKalshi is facing legal pressure from authorities in various countries and states. For example, Baltimore city authorities have sued Kalshi and Polymarket over sports contracts.

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