Bitcoin’s volatility drives record volumes for perpetual futures

Record perpetual futures activity outpaces fixed-expiry contracts as volatility spikes after Trump’s crypto announcement.

Cover art/illustration via CryptoSlate. Image includes combined content which may include AI-generated content.

Bitcoin markets experienced a sudden whirlwind when President Trump unexpectedly announced a strategic crypto reserve. It ignited a frenzy that starkly highlighted the dominance of perpetual futures over quarterly ones, as traders rushed to catch the waves of volatility. On one extraordinary day, Binance alone saw an astonishing $42 billion in BTC perpetual contract volume. But what was the unsparing catalyst that led to a record-smashing trade count and open interest surge? Discover the turning point that reshaped trading tactics across top exchanges.