Key Highlights
- Ondo Perps evaluates the U.S. market as a significant target for compliant perpetual futures offerings.
- CEO David Wells confirmed that any American product would be structurally different from international versions.
- U.S. market entry would demand modified clearing and settlement frameworks to satisfy regulatory requirements.
- Ondo Finance believes equity perpetual instruments align with current U.S. security futures frameworks.
- The firm has yet to commit to a U.S. rollout and continues preliminary market assessment.
Ondo Perps is actively evaluating the United States marketplace for perpetual futures products as regulatory authorities examine domestic trading frameworks. During a recent interview at an Ondo gathering in Seoul, CEO David Wells described the American market as presenting a “huge opportunity” for expansion.
Wells clarified that any American offering would be distinctly different from Ondo Perps platforms accessible to international users. He explained that compliance with settlement and clearing requirements would necessitate independent infrastructure, though the fundamental perpetual contract mechanism could share similarities. This approach addresses U.S. regulatory standards for derivatives markets and investor safeguards.
American Market Presents Strategic Growth Avenue
According to Wells, U.S. regulatory developments have created opportunities that were previously unavailable to market participants. The CEO stopped short of announcing a definitive U.S. launch or establishing a timeframe. The organization remains in preliminary evaluation phases.
Multiple platforms are currently piloting regulated frameworks. Coinbase submitted documentation to the CFTC on September 18 seeking approval for single-stock perpetual futures listings. The application awaits regulatory decision, while Coinbase’s U.S. stock perpetual filing demonstrates how trading venues pursue compliant domestic market access.
Regulated Perpetual Futures Landscape Develops
Kraken’s parent entity Payward has similarly proposed bringing Hyperliquid HIP-3 markets to American clients through approved domestic intermediaries. The proposed framework would leverage Bitnomial Exchange alongside NinjaTrader Clearing for qualified participants, pending regulatory authorization.
CFTC documentation reveals multiple single-stock perpetual product proposals awaiting review. These submissions utilize regulated futures mechanisms rather than direct offshore platform integration. American firms are constructing distinct pathways covering trading execution, clearing operations, and client participation.
Ondo Finance Advocates for Current Regulatory Framework
Ondo Finance maintains that equity perpetual instruments can operate within established U.S. security futures regulations. The organization forwarded correspondence to both the SEC and CFTC, referencing the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000. Recent Coinbase clearing approval demonstrates ongoing progress in building regulated American derivatives infrastructure.
The regulatory environment remains dynamic. Recent CFTC guidance on tokenized assets permits regulated entities to utilize blockchain recordkeeping when satisfying existing documentation and custody obligations. This guidance could influence how onchain market systems evolve.
Wells anticipates that American and global perpetual markets will operate under distinct structural models. Ondo Perps would require U.S.-tailored clearing and settlement systems prior to any domestic launch. Currently, the organization maintains its market research activities without announcing concrete expansion commitments. Any prospective American offering would require regulatory clearance and compliant domestic market infrastructure. Wells indicated the firm continues monitoring how these frameworks mature.





