On December 4, 2025, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced that spot crypto products (including Bitcoin) will be listed and traded for the first time on CFTC-registered futures exchanges.
CFTC crypto news comes directly from the CFTC press release issued by Acting Chairman Caroline D. Pham
Pham described the moment as the beginning of a:
“Golden Age for Innovation in America.”
— CFTC Acting Chair Caroline D. Pham (CFTC Press Release 9145-25)
For the first time ever in U.S. history:
- Spot Bitcoin can be traded on federally regulated exchanges
- Retail customers are allowed to use leverage only on regulated venues.
- Surveillance, custody, and margin rules apply to spot crypto just like futures.
First to launch will be Bitnomial, starting the week of December 8, 2025, according to Bitnomial’s public self-certification filing, creating a historical landscape of crypto spot trading in the U.S.
What the Official CFTC Release Confirms
The following are the verified facts directly from the regulator:
1. First-ever listed spot crypto trading on U.S. regulated exchanges
Spot crypto can trade on CFTC-registered exchanges, with the customer protections and market integrity that Americans deserve.
2. Retail leverage is now allowed, but only on regulated DCMs
The CFTC underscores that under U.S. law, leveraged retail commodity trading has to be conducted on futures exchanges.
3. Ends the “regulation by enforcement” era
Pham also denounced the previous practice of issuing fines, but not specifying pathways for trading venues to operate in compliance.
4. Follows the President’s Working Group recommendations
This is part of a multi-agency Crypto Sprint coordinated with the SEC.
5. Other Reforms include:
Tokenisation of Collateral in Derivatives Markets enables blockchain-ready technical amendments to reporting, settlement, and clearing systems.
How the U.S. Reached this Milestone?
| Date | Confirmed Event |
| 2025 (Ongoing) | CFTC conducts Crypto Sprint with SEC + PWG recommendations |
| Nov 2025 | Bitnomial prepares listing and compliance filings |
| Dec 1, 2025 | Bitnomial self-certifies spot BTC product |
| Dec 4, 2025 | CFTC officially approves listed spot crypto trading |
| Week of Dec 8 | Bitnomial goes live with the first spot Bitcoin markets |
Why it matters: U.S. Reclaims Crypto Leadership
The U.S. is signaling that it wants to be the global leader in the next generation of financial markets. For the first time ever:
- Spot Bitcoin trades under federal law
- Retail leverage becomes regulated
- Institutions can participate without compliance risk
- Tokenization and blockchain clearing become part of US rulemaking conversations
This could accelerate:
- Digital asset ETFs
- On-chain settlement
- Stablecoin regulation
- RWA tokenization institutional crypto adoption
Final Thought
This historic announcement heralds the birth of federally regulated spot crypto trading in the United States.
Under Press Release 9145-25, the CFTC:
- Approved spot Bitcoin and Ethereum trading on U.S. exchanges
- Leveraged retail trading was enabled under strict rules.
- Launched the Crypto Sprint reforms in full
- Positioned the U.S. for a new era of crypto market leadership.
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FAQs
1. What did the CFTC approve?
The listing and trading of spot crypto trading for Bitcoin and Ethereum on CFTC-regulated futures exchanges (DCMs).
2. When does trading begin?
Bitnomial is scheduled to launch during the week of December 8, 2025.
3. What protections apply?
All DCM-level protections, including surveillance, custody standards, capital rules, and anti-fraud measures.
4. Will leverage be available?
Yes, but only on CFTC-regulated exchanges.
5. Why is this significant?
It ends unregulated retail spot markets in the U.S. and allows federally supervised institutions to participate.
