Global crypto exchange Bitget has officially announced that its US stock-linked futures trading volume surpassed the $1 bn milestone on Monday.
The achievement reflects a significant shift in trading behaviour, as investors increasingly seek unified access to both traditional equity exposure and digital assets within a single platform.
The growth, which doubled its momentum in just two weeks leading up to the announcement, highlights the success of Bitget’s “Universal Exchange” model. This framework allows users to bridge the gap between centralised, decentralised and tokenised markets without the need to switch between different apps or brokerages.
The surge in trading volume has been fuelled by a robust US equity market, driven by AI-themed rallies and a strong earnings season.
By offering USDT-margined perpetual futures, Bitget has enabled users, particularly those in regions like Africa, to speculate on price movements for major tech stocks such as Apple, Nvidia and Tesla using the same crypto-native interface they use for assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
“Crossing the $1 bn mark in such a short time shows how fast traders are embracing stock futures as part of a unified digital trading experience,” said Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget.
She added, “It’s a signal that the line between traditional markets and digital assets is disappearing, and our Universal Exchange model is where that convergence is happening first.”
Bitget’s model is designed for a new generation of traders who prefer a 24/7 digital interface over traditional stock market hours.
The platform utilises USDT as a universal margin, allowing for seamless transitions between different asset classes.
Detailing the functional appeal of the platform, Chen noted, “The exchange frames the growth as part of a broader ‘Universal Exchange (UEX)’ model that hosts crypto, tokenised/stock-linked products, and on-chain markets in one place. This is necessary because many traders, including those in the African region, have already moved from local fiat to USDT using marketplace sellers on P2P bank transfer or popular wallets, where supported.”
She further explained the mechanics for the end-user: “Perpetual ‘stock futures’ on Bitget are derivatives margined in USDT that track selected US equities. They don’t give you company shares or dividends; they mirror price moves so you can go long/short with a defined margin and fees.”
While the platform offers increased flexibility and up to 25 times leverage, Bitget emphasises that these products are derivatives, not traditional equity ownership. They do not grant voting rights or dividends, and the 24/7 nature of crypto-trading venues can occasionally result in price gaps compared to traditional markets.
Concluding her remarks on the risks associated with these instruments, Chen stated, “Leverage cuts both ways: 25x magnifies potential gains and losses; derivatives are not shares: you don’t get voting rights or dividends; market structure: 24/7 trading may gap versus the underlying when the US market is closed; generally, prices are volatile; only trade what you can afford to lose.”
