Coinbase Derivatives is bringing perpetual-style equity index futures to U.S. regulated markets on June 8, giving traders direct exposure to artificial intelligence (AI), Chinese equities, defense, and broad tech through four new thematic contracts.
Key Takeaways:
Coinbase Derivatives launches perpetual-style equity index futures on June 8, 2026, targeting U.S. regulated markets.Four contracts covering AI, China, defense, and tech give traders thematic exposure via a funding-rate mechanism.Retail access to Coinbase’s AIP, CHN, DEF, and TEK perp contracts is planned for the coming months.If the perp trades above the spot price, long holders pay short holders a fee. If it trades below, short holders pay longs. Funding typically occurs every eight hours. This system keeps prices anchored without requiring contract rollover.
The China10 contract tracks the ten largest and most liquid Chinese companies listed on U.S. exchanges as American Depositary Receipts on Nasdaq and the NYSE. Like the AI10, it applies a 15% concentration cap and quarterly rebalancing.
Defense10 targets the top ten U.S.-listed aerospace and defense companies that derive at least 50% of their revenue from defense-related operations. The same 15% cap and quarterly rebalance apply. Tech100 is the broadest of the four.
It tracks 100 Nasdaq-listed companies across technology, communications, consumer discretionary, industrials, materials, health care, consumer staples, and energy. The index applies no concentration cap, allowing natural market leadership to drive weightings.
The contracts also carry a tax advantage. As futures, they fall under the 60/40 rule, where 60% of gains are taxed as long-term capital gains regardless of holding period. Trading the same exposure through equities or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) directly would not carry that treatment.
