Kalshi launches perpetual futures tied to US 500 stock index

Prediction-market startup Kalshi launched a perpetual futures contract linked to a US stock index on Tuesday, expanding into a nascent derivatives market as it seeks to compete with traditional exchange operators, according to a Reuters report.

The contract tracks Kalshi’s US 500 index, which comprises 500 of the largest US companies, the company said.

Perpetual futures, commonly called “perps,” do not have an expiration date, allowing traders to hold positions indefinitely without having to roll over contracts.

Kalshi said periodic funding payments between traders holding long and short positions will help keep the contract’s price aligned with the underlying index.

The company, best known for allowing users to trade on the outcomes of events such as elections and sporting contests, said the product will enable investors to take leveraged long or short positions on the stock index, Reuters reported.

Kalshi filed plans for the product with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in August.

“Stock market exposure is the next step towards Kalshi becoming a full-service financial exchange, and perps are the best way for our traders to get this exposure,” CEO Tarek Mansour said in a statement.

Kalshi is also preparing to seek US regulatory approval for a perpetual futures contract linked to West Texas Intermediate crude oil, Reuters reported last month. The move forms part of the company’s effort to expand beyond cryptocurrency and metals.

(Disclaimer: This article is based on inputs from agencies. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
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