TL;DR
Interactive Brokers (Nasdaq: IBKR) added nano Bitcoin and nano Ethereum futures contracts to its trading platform, issued through Coinbase Derivatives, LLC. The contracts went live with two format options: monthly expirations and perpetual-style structures. Both run on a 24/7 schedule and trade inside a regulated exchange framework.
A nano Bitcoin contract represents 0.01 BTC, and a nano Ethereum contract covers 0.10 ETH. Smaller contract sizes reduce the capital needed to open a position and allow traders to adjust exposure in tighter increments. For anyone who found standard-sized crypto futures too large or too capital-intensive, the nano format opens a more accessible entry point without moving outside a regulated environment.
CEO Milan Galik described the format’s appeal directly: perpetual-style crypto futures provide long-dated exposure and greater flexibility, and pairing them with nano contract sizing expands access to a wider range of traders while keeping margin requirements low.
The architecture of the product matters beyond its size. Both contract types trade on a regulated exchange, which means participants get price transparency, counterparty oversight, and a legal structure that informal crypto venues do not provide. Interactive Brokers clients already access more than 170 markets worldwide through a single platform that mixes traditional instruments with digital assets.
The Coinbase Derivatives contracts slot into that same interface, so traders manage crypto exposure alongside equities, bonds, and other instruments without switching between platforms.
Greg Tusar, Co-CEO of Coinbase Institutional, confirmed the intent behind the collaboration: the nano-sized contracts lower the barrier to entry and give more investors a path into digital assets through a secure, regulated channel.
For active traders, the combination of nano sizing, perpetual-style duration, and 24/7 access addresses three separate friction points at once. Small contract sizes ease position management. No expiration date removes rollover costs. Continuous trading hours match the around-the-clock nature of spot crypto markets.
The launch does not require clients to open a separate crypto account or move funds to an external exchange. Exposure to Bitcoin and Ethereum price movements now sits inside the same brokerage account used for every other asset class on the platform. For traders who already operate through Interactive Brokers, the addition requires no new onboarding. The product is available now for eligible clients.
Also read: Why Bitcoin’s Price Is Stuck in a Rut — Even With Heavy Institutional Buying
