Ondo Finance prepares RWA perpetual contracts platform as CFTC greenlights first US perp listing

Ondo Finance is preparing to launch Ondo Perps, a platform enabling non-U.S. users to trade perpetual futures on U.S.-listed equities, ETFs, and commodities with up to 20x leverage. This initiative follows the CFTC’s May 29 approval of Kalshi’s bitcoin perpetual contract, which signals a potential shift in the regulatory landscape for perpetual derivatives. Ondo, which currently holds approximately 60% of the tokenized equity market with $3.5 billion in TVL, aims to differentiate its platform by allowing users to utilize tokenized securities as collateral. This unique collateral structure enables cross-collateralization between tokenized stocks, Treasuries, and other real-world assets within a unified blockchain framework. The launch marks a significant strategic move under new CEO Ian De Bode, who assumed leadership following the unexpected passing of founder Nathan Allman. By integrating tokenized assets directly into a perpetual trading environment, Ondo seeks to bridge the gap between traditional prime brokerage services and crypto-native exchanges. While the platform currently operates outside U.S. jurisdiction, the evolving regulatory guidance suggests a potential pathway for future expansion. The success of this product will be a critical test for the company as it navigates both a leadership transition and a complex, case-by-case regulatory environment for perpetual contracts.