LMAX Launches 100x Leverage BTC & ETH Perpetual Contracts
LMAX Group has launched Bitcoin and Ethereum perpetual contracts with up to 100x leverage for institutional traders. The new BTC and ETH perpetual contracts address rising demand among prop trading firms, hedge funds and brokers for high-leverage crypto derivatives. Perpetual contracts now account for 68% of Bitcoin trading volume, up from 66% last year, with Binance, Bybit and OKX controlling nearly 70% of open interest and daily volumes of $10–30 bn. Decentralized exchanges processed $20.5 bn in 24-hour perpetual volume, a 16.8% weekly increase. LMAX Exchange, which handles over $40 bn in daily spot and FX flows, will offer these regulated perpetual contracts across its UK, EU, New Zealand and Mauritius entities. This launch comes alongside US platforms Coinbase and CBOE and Europe’s One Trading rolling out new perpetual offerings. The move is expected to boost liquidity, deepen competition and provide institutional traders with more leverage and risk-management tools.
Bullish
The launch of 100x leverage BTC and ETH perpetual contracts by LMAX Group is bullish for both Bitcoin and Ethereum. In the short term, the new perpetual contracts are likely to attract increased trading volume from institutional players seeking high-leverage exposure, boosting liquidity and potentially driving up prices. Over the longer term, regulated perpetual offerings across multiple jurisdictions can deepen institutional adoption of crypto derivatives, strengthen market structure, and foster sustained demand. While higher leverage may introduce volatility spikes, the overall effect of expanded access and competition is positive for crypto markets.