LMAX Group adds 100x-leverage Bitcoin and Ether perpetual futures for institutional clients.
- LMAX enters crypto derivatives with 100x-leverage perpetual futures.
- Product targets institutional investors, not retail users.
- Perpetuals now dominate 68% of Bitcoin’s trading volume in 2025.
LMAX Group Enters the Crypto Derivatives Market
London-based LMAX Group has launched perpetual futures contracts for Bitcoin and Ether. These products are designed for institutional investors like brokers and trading firms. The contracts allow up to 100x leverage. This means investors can trade with amounts much larger than they actually hold. LMAX made this move due to growing demand from institutional clients.
What Are Perpetual Futures?
Perpetual futures are a type of crypto trading product. Unlike normal futures, they don’t have an end date. This feature keeps traders active without needing to renew contracts. According to LMAX CEO David Mercer, these products are popular among professional traders who want exposure to fast-moving crypto prices. LMAX’s new contracts will serve that exact need.
Perpetual Futures Dominate Crypto Trading
Perpetuals now make up over 68% of all Bitcoin trade volume in 2025. That’s up from 66% last year. Exchanges like Binance, Bybit, and OKX lead the market. Binance alone sees up to $80 billion in daily perp trading during peak times. On the derivatives market overall, perpetuals exceeded $1.39 trillion in daily trading volume—far more than traditional futures.
Decentralized Platforms Join the Trend
Decentralized perp platforms like Hyperliquid are also growing fast. They processed over $20.5 billion in 24 hours recently. Their 30-day volume hit $683.5 billion, with a 16.84% rise in just one week. This shows that even non-centralized platforms are gaining traction with this type of product.
Institutional Demand Leads Global Growth
LMAX’s move reflects a wider global shift toward institutional adoption of crypto derivatives. In the U.S., Coinbase began offering perps in July. CBOE will start in November. In Europe, One Trading launched its own version for professional clients under MiFID II rules. These shifts suggest rapid growth in regulated crypto trading.
Source: cointelegraph.com
