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Binance.US Seeks CFTC License for Prediction Markets

Binance.US also wants to offer event contracts and perpetuals through a CFTC DCM license. The move fits into a broader U.S. comeback after years of regulatory pressure.

By Luc Vesters
• 2 min read
Binance.US Seeks CFTC License for Prediction Markets

Key Takeaways

  • Binance.US plans to apply next month to the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) for a license to offer regulated prediction markets.
  • CEO Stephen Gregory says the application is part of a broader comeback plan, with lower fees and new trading products as key priorities.
  • With DCM status, Binance.US could potentially offer futures, options, and event contracts, although approval is far from guaranteed.

Binance.US is set to apply next month to the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) for permission to launch regulated prediction markets. The move would mark another step in the exchange’s effort to broaden its U.S. business beyond spot trading alone.

CEO Stephen Gregory, who goes by Stevie_Satoshi online, shared the plan during a stage interview with journalist Eleanor Terrett at the RareEvo conference. Gregory said the filing is part of a wider turnaround effort, with lower fees, perpetuals, and new trading products at the center of that push.

A License With Broad Reach

A Designated Contract Market, or DCM, is a key regulatory category overseen by the CFTC. If a platform wins that status, it can list futures, options, and certain event contracts, provided it meets standards tied to market integrity, financial strength, and surveillance.

For Binance.US, that makes this more than a simple product add-on. The exchange is trying to open a new trading lane while also rebuilding its standing in the U.S. after years of regulatory pressure and a much narrower product offering.

More Than Just Prediction Markets

Prediction markets are only one piece of Binance.US’s plan. Gregory said the exchange is also looking to cut trading costs and move into products such as perpetual contracts, which would put it in closer competition with other U.S. crypto exchanges that already offer a broader regulated lineup.

The timing is notable because more crypto exchanges have been pursuing DCM status in recent years. That trend reflects a wider push for clearer rules in the crypto market, especially among platforms that want to offer more than just spot trading.

Why This Matters

For European crypto readers, the move is another sign of how fast the U.S. market is changing around regulated event contracts. If Binance.US does file, it could become a useful benchmark for how exchanges try to expand under CFTC oversight.

Still, nothing is settled yet. Binance.US has not submitted the application, and a CFTC review could take months with no promise of approval.

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