Coinbase Files for Single-Stock Perpetual Futures, Binance Rejects Lagarde MiCA Claims, US Sanctions Iran's BitBank

Coinbase has filed with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to list single-stock perpetual futures in the United States, seeking to bring a derivatives product widely used in crypto markets to individual US equities. The filing, submitted Friday through Coinbase Derivatives, seeks regulatory approval for contracts that would give US traders 24/5 exposure to individual stocks without owning the underlying shares. Perpetual futures differ from traditional futures contracts in that they do not expire. The proposed contracts are classified by the CFTC as single-stock futures and remain pending regulatory approval, following Coinbase Derivatives' earlier Sept. 1 filing of a Form 1-N with the SEC to register as a national securities exchange for security futures.

Binance declined to address a Wall Street Journal report that European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde intervened in its failed Greek crypto license bid, reaffirming its commitment to operating under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). The report claimed that a vice chair of Greece's Hellenic Capital Market Commission told Binance that Lagarde had asked Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis not to approve its application. Greek officials reportedly informed the European Securities and Markets Authority in early June that the regulator intended to approve the license. "We will not comment on speculation," a Binance spokesperson said. "In Europe, Binance remains committed to operating on a long-term, compliant basis under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation."

US authorities announced sanctions on Thursday against Iranian crypto exchange BitBank, alleging the platform processed Bitcoin transfers tied to the IRGC and facilitated payments through a service branded "Hormuz Safe." The Treasury's action targets a financial node linked to Iran's military apparatus, reflecting Washington's continued effort to use crypto-related sanctions enforcement to disrupt illicit finance channels. The designation adds BitBank to a growing list of Iranian exchanges and over-the-counter desks penalized for allegedly funneling funds to sanctioned entities.

Crypto prices posted broad gains on Friday, with Bitcoin climbing nearly 7% to trade above $80,900, while Monero jumped over 9% and Solana rallied nearly 11%. The rebound followed renewed institutional interest and regulatory developments across the sector, suggesting that traders are pricing in the potential for expanded derivatives access and ongoing enforcement clarity from US authorities.