LMAX Group Unleashes Powerful Bitcoin & Ethereum Perpetual Futures for Institutional Traders

The cryptocurrency landscape continues its rapid evolution. Indeed, institutional players are increasingly seeking sophisticated tools to engage with digital assets. Consequently, **LMAX Group**, a leading fintech firm, has made a significant move. The company has officially launched **Bitcoin Ethereum perps** (perpetual futures) specifically for institutional traders. This development marks a pivotal moment for the **crypto derivatives market**, offering enhanced leverage and expanded access to these volatile yet lucrative assets.

LMAX Group Enters the Institutional Crypto Trading Arena

London-based **LMAX Group** has now entered the leveraged crypto derivatives market. The firm unveiled perpetual futures contracts linked to Bitcoin and Ether. These offerings target its extensive institutional client base. Furthermore, the exchange, which typically handles over $40 billion in daily spot volume across traditional FX and digital assets, reported high client demand. This demand specifically targeted high-leverage access to crypto markets. David Mercer, CEO of LMAX, stated, “Perpetual futures have dominated the crypto market for the last three or four years.” He further added, “Our institutional clients, including top proprietary trading firms and brokers, are looking for that kind of exposure.” This strategic expansion solidifies LMAX Group’s position within the evolving financial ecosystem.

Perpetual futures represent a unique financial derivative. They function similarly to traditional futures contracts. However, they crucially lack an expiration date. This key difference allows traders to hold positions indefinitely, provided they maintain sufficient margin. LMAX’s new offering will permit as much as 100x leverage. Such high leverage enables institutional traders to amplify potential gains (and losses) from market movements. LMAX already operates established forex brokers across the UK, Europe, New Zealand, and Mauritius, according to its official website. The company’s robust infrastructure and regulatory experience provide a strong foundation for this new venture into **institutional crypto trading**.

The Dominance of Perpetual Futures in Crypto

**Perpetual futures** contracts have become the backbone of crypto derivatives trading. Data from Kaiko reveals their significant market share. These products accounted for 68% of all Bitcoin (BTC) volume so far in 2025. This figure marks an increase from 66% in the previous year. Major exchanges, including Binance, Bybit, and OKX, collectively hold nearly 70% of the open interest in these products. Daily perpetual volumes consistently range between $10 billion and $30 billion. Peak days can even see volumes soar as high as $80 billion on Binance alone, as reported by Kaiko.

Moreover, CoinMarketCap data reinforces this dominance. In the past 24 hours, perpetuals recorded an astounding $1.39 trillion in volume. This figure vastly overshadowed traditional futures contracts, which saw only $670.61 million. This clear disparity highlights the preferred choice of traders for these flexible, non-expiring contracts. The ability to maintain positions without rollover costs, coupled with high leverage options, makes **perpetual futures** highly attractive to active traders and institutions alike.

Exploring Bitcoin Ethereum Perps and Decentralized Platforms

The introduction of **Bitcoin Ethereum perps** by LMAX Group further solidifies the market’s focus on these two dominant cryptocurrencies. These assets consistently attract the most liquidity and trading interest. Beyond centralized exchanges, decentralized perpetual platforms are also witnessing remarkable growth. DefiLlama data indicates that these platforms collectively processed $20.5 billion in 24-hour volume. Their 30-day total exceeded $683.5 billion, reflecting a substantial 16.84% weekly surge. Hyperliquid, a prominent decentralized platform, notably contributed over $65 billion in seven-day volume alone. This robust activity across both centralized and decentralized venues underscores the widespread demand for perpetual contracts.

Decentralized perpetual platforms offer distinct advantages. They provide greater transparency and often operate with fewer intermediaries. This appeals to a segment of the market prioritizing censorship resistance and self-custody. However, centralized platforms like LMAX offer the deep liquidity and robust infrastructure preferred by large **institutional crypto trading** firms. The coexistence and growth of both models illustrate the diverse needs within the digital asset space. Ultimately, the availability of **Bitcoin Ethereum perps** across various platforms expands options for traders seeking exposure to these leading cryptocurrencies.

Expanding Horizons in the Crypto Derivatives Market

LMAX Group’s strategic entry into the **crypto derivatives market** coincides with a broader trend. Major US venues are also moving to offer retail access to **perpetual futures**. For instance, Coinbase began offering perps to US customers in July. Similarly, the CBOE plans to launch its own version in November. These developments signal a growing acceptance and mainstreaming of these sophisticated financial products. In Europe, One Trading launched MiFID II-compliant perpetuals in April. This offering, however, remains limited to institutional clients currently. The platform intends to expand the product to eligible retail clients in the future.

The increasing availability of perpetual futures, particularly for **Bitcoin Ethereum perps**, reflects evolving regulatory landscapes and market maturity. As more established financial entities embrace crypto derivatives, the market gains legitimacy and liquidity. This trend benefits both institutional and retail investors. It provides them with more tools for hedging, speculation, and portfolio management. The competitive environment will likely drive innovation and improve trading conditions. Consequently, the **crypto derivatives market** is poised for continued expansion and diversification, offering exciting opportunities for informed participants.

The Future of Institutional Crypto Trading

The launch of **LMAX Group**’s perpetual futures for institutional clients is a significant milestone. It highlights the growing appetite among large financial entities for advanced crypto trading products. The unparalleled dominance of **perpetual futures** in trading volume underscores their importance. Furthermore, the expansion of **Bitcoin Ethereum perps** across both centralized and decentralized platforms indicates robust market growth. As regulatory frameworks adapt and more traditional financial players enter the fray, the **crypto derivatives market** will undoubtedly continue its trajectory of innovation and expansion. This promises a dynamic future for **institutional crypto trading**.