Perps Lift Crypto Stocks—Robinhood, Coinbase End Week In The Green After CFTC Move

Robinhood (HOOD) and Coinbase (COIN) ended the week’s final session in the green, with Robinhood’s stock leading the move as US regulators took steps that could expand the local market for crypto derivatives.

Shares of Robinhood rose sharply, jumping about 11% on the day to close around $94 per share, which also marked the highest level the stock has reached since February. 

Coinbase (COIN) was not far behind, gaining close to 7% as the exchange’s shares finished the session near $189. That level sits in the middle of the stock’s broader consolidation range of roughly $160 to $215, a band it has been trading within since late March.

CFTC Sparks HOOD And COIN Rally

The rally for both companies was widely attributed to action from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Earlier on Friday, the agency announced it would allow US firms to offer perpetual (perps) futures trading, a potential catalyst for new product launches and expanded trading activity within the United States.

In addition to that policy shift, the CFTC also moved that same day to issue a no-action letter to Coinbase. Under the regulator’s guidance, the letter permits Coinbase’s US customers to access the options and perpetuals the company already offers. 

The impact of the regulator’s steps was not limited to Coinbase. Other US-based firms have signaled they are exploring perpetuals, including trading platform Gemini and Robinhood, which already offers the product in Europe. 

Mizuho analyst Dan Dolev summarized the opportunity by saying the main message from the day was that it represented a “massive market opportunity.” He added that there is potential for Coinbase and other firms to win a share of trading activity that, so far, has mostly been happening on offshore venues.

Robinhood Price Targets Rise

Mizuho also lifted its price target for Robinhood from $110 to $115. Separately, Citizens reiterated its “market outperform” rating and maintained a $155 price target. 

One item cited in the positive sentiment was Robinhood’s plan to give users the ability to connect artificial intelligence (AI) agents to their accounts for trading, as well as for credit card purchases.

Robinhood also said customers will soon be able to direct AI agents to trade equities in a separate account, with limits set by the user. Support for options, event contracts, futures, and additional products is expected to arrive later, according to the company.

Featured image created with OpenArt; chart from CoinPrice.Watch