US CFTC Issues Exemption Letter Allowing Exchanges to Convert Existing Crypto Perpetual Futures into True Perpetual Contract Structures

the Market Oversight Division of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced today that it has issued an exemption letter to Designated Contract Markets (DCMs), permitting them to convert their existing "perpetual-like" digital commodity futures contracts into true crypto perpetual futures contracts. This policy is an extension of previous regulatory clarifications and specifically applies to digital commodities such as Bitcoin, which have deep, active, and continuous spot market trading.According to the document, DCMs may remove the expiration date from existing contracts and convert them into true perpetual contracts, provided they meet certain conditions. These requirements include soliciting feedback from position holders, providing advance notice and offering opportunities to close positions, conducting adequate risk disclosures, and ensuring that other key contract terms remain unaltered. Additionally, exchanges must submit amendment filings in accordance with CFTC Rules 40.5 or 40.6 and complete compliance certification.