Coinbase launches derivatives trading for UK professional investors with up to 50x leverage

Coinbase announced on August 11, 2026, the progressive rollout of derivatives trading for professional investors in the United Kingdom, offering over 170 contracts across crypto, commodities, equities, and foreign exchange. Utilizing a MiFID license secured from the Financial Conduct Authority in July 2026, the launch features up to 50x leverage on perpetual contracts and 20x leverage on dated futures. The expansion advances Coinbase's "Everything Exchange" strategy to consolidate multiple asset classes into a single regulated platform.

Coinbase UK derivatives launch

• ▪The Coinbase derivatives offering in the United Kingdom includes more than 170 contracts spanning crypto, commodities, equities, and foreign exchange.
• ▪Coinbase announced on August 11, 2026, the progressive rollout of derivatives trading for professional investors in the United Kingdom.

MiFID license from FCA

• ▪Coinbase's United Kingdom subsidiary, CB Payments Ltd, is authorized by the Financial Conduct Authority for investment services and under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 for issuing electronic money.
• ▪Coinbase's derivatives launch in the United Kingdom is based on an investment services authorization, or MiFID license, secured from the Financial Conduct Authority on July 7, 2026.

Everything Exchange strategy

• ▪Coinbase framed the derivatives launch as part of its "Everything Exchange" strategy, which aims to consolidate crypto, stocks, derivatives, and prediction markets into a single application.
• ▪The derivatives launch occurred five days after Coinbase introduced 24/5 U.S. stock trading covering nearly 4,000 stocks to United Kingdom users.

Professional investor restrictions

• ▪Coinbase's derivatives offering in the United Kingdom is strictly limited to clients who complete an onboarding process and qualify as professional investors.
• ▪The Financial Conduct Authority has banned the sale of crypto derivatives to retail consumers in the United Kingdom since 2021.

Leverage limits on contracts

• ▪Coinbase is offering leverage capped at 20 times on dated futures, which settle on fixed dates and price cost-of-carry at entry.
• ▪Coinbase is offering leverage of up to 50 times on perpetual contracts, which trade 24/7 and carry no expiry date.