Blockchain.com Files for CFTC Licenses for US Prediction Markets
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Blockchain.com has filed applications with the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) for two licenses that would let it serve American customers directly, according to Cryptobriefing. The company is seeking a Designated Contract Market (DCM) license to operate a regulated exchange and a Futures Commission Merchant (FCM) license to handle customer orders and funds for those contracts. The move would bring in-house products that Blockchain.com currently offers to international customers through third-party platforms.
The filings land as the crypto firm prepares for an IPO aiming to raise approximately $500 million, with a target valuation between $4 billion and $6 billion.
Key facts
- Blockchain.com has applied for a DCM license and an FCM license from the CFTC, targeting US retail and institutional customers (Cryptobriefing).
- It partnered with Polymarket for prediction markets in July 2026 and with Hyperliquid for perpetual futures earlier in 2026, both for select international users (Cryptobriefing).
- Twelve companies, including Blockchain.com, have sought DCM licenses in 2026, and the CFTC has approved six new DCMs this year (Cryptobriefing).
- Blockchain.com confidentially filed draft IPO registration paperwork with the SEC in May 2026 and is eyeing a listing later this year (Cryptobriefing).
- According to News.bitcoin, the story was first reported by CNBC on Friday, citing a report; Decrypt also attributed the applications to a CNBC interview with CEO Peter Smith.
What the licenses would change
A DCM designation would let Blockchain.com run a regulated exchange listing event contracts, while an FCM registration would let it act as a broker for derivatives. Neither capability is live in the US, and the applications remain pending with no announced launch timeline. Currently, the company routes international users to Polymarket and Hyperliquid rather than operating its own venue, per Cryptobriefing.
CEO and co-founder Peter Smith framed the applications as part of a push toward a single platform. According to News.bitcoin, Smith told CNBC that users should be able to manage digital assets, trade derivatives and take positions on real-world events without switching between apps, and that the DCM and FCM applications build toward that future under appropriate regulatory frameworks.
A crowded queue at the regulator
Blockchain.com is one of several firms seeking federal approval for event-based trading. Decrypt noted that Coinbase and Crypto.com have expanded into event contracts, challenging established operators such as Kalshi and Polymarket. The CFTC has asserted federal authority over event contracts, while state regulators argue certain offerings, particularly sports-related contracts, violate state gambling laws. Conflicting court decisions have left the jurisdictional dispute unresolved.
Coverage differs slightly on scope: Cryptobriefing reported that 12 companies including Blockchain.com have applied for DCM licenses in 2026, while News.bitcoin and Decrypt said the company joins 11 others. All three outlets agree the CFTC has approved six new DCMs this year.
Why it matters
For Blockchain.com, a licensed US exchange and brokerage would reduce reliance on Polymarket and Hyperliquid for core products and give it direct regulatory cover as state and federal authorities fight over who polices event contracts. For prospective IPO investors, the pending applications cut both ways: approval would reinforce the growth story behind a $4 billion to $6 billion valuation, while delays or a rejection would leave the US derivatives plan as an unfulfilled promise.
What to watch
The CFTC’s decisions on both licenses, how quickly the agency works through its applicant queue, and whether Blockchain.com’s public IPO filing reveals how much these products contribute to revenue. No launch date or offering timetable has been announced. This is not financial advice; prediction markets and crypto are volatile and outcomes are uncertain.
Disclaimer: This article is for information only and is not investment, financial or trading advice. Cryptocurrency prices are highly volatile. Always do your own research.
Sources: Crypto Briefing, News.bitcoin, Decrypt
