KuCoin has introduced stock index perpetual contracts, expanding its derivatives offerings to include equity-linked instruments traded on a crypto-native platform. The first contracts scheduled for listing include derivatives tracking Tesla and MicroStrategy, available as TSLAUSDT and MSTRUSDT perpetual contracts.
The boundaries of trading just disappeared. 🌐
You can now trade U.S. Stock Index Perpetual Contracts directly with USDT. No switching apps, no bank delays—just seamless access to global giants like $TSLA and $MSTR.
Your crypto and your favorite stocks, all in one powerful… pic.twitter.com/5ia7bUvGwz
— KuCoin (@kucoincom) March 13, 2026
Perpetual contracts are derivative agreements with no expiration date, allowing traders to hold positions indefinitely while speculating on the future price of cryptocurrencies. Unlike traditional futures that settle at a fixed date, perpetual futures remain open until the trader closes the position or it is liquidated, enabling continuous trading based on market movements.
24/7 trading for equity-linked crypto derivatives
The products are designed to allow traders to speculate on stock price movements through crypto-settled derivatives without holding the underlying equities. Unlike traditional stock markets that operate within fixed trading hours, the contracts will be available for trading 24 hours a day, enabling continuous access to equity-linked exposure.
KuCoin said the contracts are stablecoin-settled derivatives that mirror price movements of publicly available equity benchmarks but do not represent ownership of shares. The exchange said the launch reflects growing demand for cross-asset trading tools as traditional finance and crypto infrastructure increasingly converge.
Pricing framework and risk controls introduced
The exchange said the new derivatives incorporate a pricing and risk-control system designed to handle the unique challenges of linking crypto markets with traditional equity pricing. Key features include micro-contract entry starting from 1 USDT, allowing smaller position sizes for traders.
KuCoin also introduced an institutional-grade pricing model that incorporates reference pricing and session-aware mark pricing to better reflect underlying market conditions. The design aims to reduce volatility-related distortions that can occur when traditional markets open or close.
Additionally, the contracts use an exponential moving average (EMA) smoothing mechanism intended to minimize abrupt price shifts during transitions between traditional market sessions and the crypto market’s continuous trading environment. The company said the initiative aligns with its broader strategy to support the integration of traditional finance and crypto through continuous trading access and enhanced risk-management infrastructure.
Meanwhile, KuCoin announced a major upgrade to its Lite Mode, integrating Earn and Feed features to create a streamlined entry point for first-time users.
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