Chicago-based crypto exchange Bitnomial has introduced monthly futures contracts tied to Injective, marking the first US-regulated derivatives product for the token and a potential step toward future ETF approval.

The launch gives traders regulated exposure to Injective’s native token without needing to directly hold the asset.

First US-Regulated Futures for Injective

According to the announcement, the new contracts settle in INJ and come with monthly expiries. Traders can gain price exposure while using either crypto or US dollars as margin through Bitnomial’s clearinghouse.

The move establishes a formal trading history for Injective in regulated markets, which could be significant for future financial products.

ETF Eligibility Could Follow

The listing also initiates a six-month track record, a key requirement that could support the approval of a spot exchange-traded fund under US Securities and Exchange Commission rules.

Earlier, Canary Capital filed for a staked INJ ETF, with Cboe BZX Exchange submitting a related rule change proposal to the SEC.

Institutional traders can access the futures immediately, while retail users are expected to gain access soon through Bitnomial’s Botanical platform. The exchange also plans to expand its offerings with perpetual futures and options tied to INJ.

Injective’s Role in DeFi Infrastructure

Injective operates on a Layer 1 blockchain designed for financial applications. It features an onchain order book and supports cross-chain functionality with networks such as Ethereum and Solana.

This infrastructure positions Injective as a key player in decentralized finance, particularly for trading and derivatives use cases.

Bitnomial Expands Altcoin Derivatives

Bitnomial, which operates under Commodity Futures Trading Commission oversight, continues to expand its range of crypto derivatives products.

In January, the exchange launched futures tied to Aptos, marking another step toward bringing altcoins into regulated US derivatives markets.

However, expanding beyond major cryptocurrencies has not been without challenges.

Regulatory Hurdles Persist

US-regulated crypto futures are still largely concentrated around Bitcoin and Ether, with altcoin-based products facing greater scrutiny.

Bitnomial previously attempted to list XRP futures in 2024, but the effort was challenged by the SEC. After legal proceedings, the exchange ultimately launched regulated XRP futures in March 2026, citing a shift in the regulatory landscape.

Other platforms have taken a more gradual approach. Coinbase introduced regulated Bitcoin and Ether futures for institutional clients in 2023 and later expanded access to retail traders. Meanwhile, Kraken strengthened its position in derivatives by acquiring NinjaTrader in a $1.5 billion deal.

Growing Momentum in US Crypto Derivatives

The launch of Injective futures reflects a broader push to expand regulated crypto derivatives offerings in the United States.

As regulatory clarity improves, more exchanges are exploring ways to introduce new products tied to altcoins, potentially paving the way for a wider range of ETFs and institutional investment opportunities.

CoreWeave has secured a major $6 billion agreement with quantitative trading firm Jane Street, as demand for high-performance AI computing continues to grow across financial markets.

The deal will see Jane Street use CoreWeave’s AI cloud infrastructure to support its trading and research operations, which increasingly rely on advanced data processing and machine learning models.

Jane Street Taps GPU Power for Trading Edge

Under the agreement, CoreWeave will provide computing capacity from multiple data centers, giving Jane Street access to large-scale GPU-powered infrastructure.

The trading firm said it requires this level of computing power to stay competitive as artificial intelligence becomes more deeply integrated into trading strategies and research workflows.

In addition to the infrastructure deal, Jane Street also invested $1 billion in CoreWeave, purchasing Class A common stock at $109 per share.

CoreWeave Stock Sees Modest Uptick

Following the announcement, shares of CoreWeave (CRWV) rose about 1.5%, reaching approximately $119.04 at the time of reporting.

The deal adds to growing investor confidence in the company’s role as a key provider of AI-focused cloud infrastructure.

Expanding AI Partnerships

The Jane Street agreement comes just one week after CoreWeave announced a separate partnership with Anthropic.

Under that deal, Anthropic will use CoreWeave’s infrastructure to run its Claude AI models, further strengthening CoreWeave’s position in the AI ecosystem.

From Crypto Mining to AI Infrastructure

CoreWeave originally launched in 2017 as a crypto mining company under the name Atlantic Crypto before pivoting to AI cloud computing in 2019.

This early transition has given the company a significant advantage as demand for GPU-based computing has surged.

The shift also highlights a broader trend in the industry, where former crypto mining firms are repurposing their infrastructure to support AI workloads as mining revenues become less predictable.

Leading the “Neocloud” Market

CoreWeave is now considered a leader in the so-called “neocloud” sector, which focuses on GPU-driven cloud computing designed specifically for AI applications.

Unlike traditional cloud providers that rely on CPUs for general computing tasks, neocloud platforms are optimized for intensive AI workloads such as model training and large-scale data analysis.

Analysts from Bernstein noted that CoreWeave stands out among its peers, including IREN and Nebius, due to its strong commercial performance, diverse customer base, and mix of long-term contracts and on-demand services.

The company also claims that nine of the top ten AI model providers now use its platform, underscoring its growing influence in the space.

Bitcoin bounced back to around $72,500 following volatility at the start of the week, as global markets responded to escalating tensions between the US and Iran.

Despite the rebound, traders remain cautious, warning that the current price recovery could be temporary.

Bitcoin Rises Alongside US Stocks

After dipping earlier, Bitcoin reversed course following the Wall Street open on Monday, climbing to approximately $72,530.

The move came as markets reacted to the US decision to begin a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. However, sentiment improved after it became clear that the restrictions would not impact shipping traffic to and from non-Iranian ports.

This clarification helped ease immediate concerns, leading to a broader relief rally across risk assets.

US equities followed a similar pattern, with both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite recovering from earlier losses and trading in positive territory.

Oil Prices Climb Amid Geopolitical Tension

While equities and crypto rebounded, oil markets continued to reflect geopolitical risks.

WTI crude traded around $102 per barrel after briefly moving above the $100 mark, driven by concerns over potential disruptions to global oil supply.

Analysts noted that any significant interference with Iranian exports could have a ripple effect, particularly for countries like China that rely heavily on those shipments.

Market Sentiment Stabilizes, But Uncertainty Remains

Market analysts suggest that while tensions remain high, investors are not pricing in a worst-case scenario.

Trading firm QCP Capital highlighted that markets appear to be following a familiar pattern where geopolitical rhetoric intensifies, but real-world impacts are more limited.

In the crypto market, this shift is visible in declining volatility expectations and improving sentiment indicators.

“Panic has faded,” the firm noted, even as uncertainty continues to linger.

Traders Warn of Potential Pullback

Despite the short-term recovery, some traders are signaling caution.

Analysts are watching for a possible “Bart Simpson” pattern, a technical setup where price briefly spikes before reversing sharply downward, potentially erasing recent gains.

Key levels are now in focus, with $70,500 seen as an important support zone in the near term.

Other traders suggest staying on the sidelines until Bitcoin moves closer to either extreme of its current range. Some are eyeing the $59,000 to $61,000 range as a potential entry zone if prices decline further.

Market Remains Range-Bound

For now, Bitcoin appears to be trading within a defined range, with no clear directional breakout.

While the rebound offers some relief, ongoing geopolitical developments and macro uncertainty continue to weigh on market outlook.