Blab Crypto
American Perpetuals Exchange Secures $30 Million Funding to Launch Regulated Crypto Perpetual Futures Platform
American Perpetuals Exchange Corp. (APEC) has closed a $30 million financing round led by venture firm Lux Capital, valuing the startup at $300 million. The funding will bankroll the launch of a U.S.‑based derivatives exchange that will focus on perpetual futures—contracts that let traders bet on the future price of an asset without a set expiration date.
Perpetual futures, or “perps,” differ from traditional futures in that they have no delivery date and can be held indefinitely, provided the trader maintains margin. The contracts settle in cash and involve periodic funding payments between long and short positions. Perps have gained traction in the crypto market because they combine the leverage of futures with the flexibility of a continuous contract.
APEC’s capital raise comes on the heels of a landmark regulatory development: on May 29, 2026, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) approved the first U.S.‑registered Bitcoin perpetual contract, allowing Kalshi to list its BTCPERP product. Kalshi’s perps quickly drew volume, reporting $1 billion in trading within a week of launch. The approval marked the first time a regulated U.S. exchange could offer a true Bitcoin perpetual, sparking interest in domestic platforms.
The company’s leadership frames the move toward regulated perps as part of a broader shift in the U.S. derivatives market. A memo from APEC’s legal team states that the firm is pursuing dual oversight from the CFTC and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The dual‑regulation strategy aims to provide a comprehensive framework for both futures and equity‑linked products, positioning APEC as a fully compliant exchange.
“The future of these markets is not in offshore and unregulated foreign entities but rather in a regulated and institutional American company,” Theodore Gillibrand, APEC’s founder and a Stanford graduate, told Fortune. The statement underscores the firm’s intent to align with the regulatory environment shaped by recent legislation. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand—Theodore’s mother—has been a vocal supporter of crypto regulation, introducing the Responsible Financial Innovation Act and backing the Genius Act, which established a framework for stablecoins.
APEC’s business model will focus on perpetual contracts tied to major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other high‑liquidity tokens. The company plans to launch its exchange after obtaining the necessary approvals, targeting the first half of 2027. While the exact launch date remains unconfirmed, the funding round and regulatory progress suggest that APEC is moving quickly to capture the growing demand for regulated crypto derivatives.
The $30 million investment will support the development of APEC’s matching engine, risk‑management systems, and compliance infrastructure. Lux Capital, known for backing technology and fintech ventures, led the round alongside other participants, signaling confidence from institutional investors.
APEC’s entry into the market arrives as U.S. regulators continue refining the framework for crypto derivatives. The CFTC’s approval of Kalshi’s Bitcoin perps was followed by a series of regulatory clarifications, including guidance on how perpetual contracts fit within the Commodity Exchange Act. Meanwhile, the SEC has been reviewing proposals for equity‑linked crypto products, a process that APEC intends to navigate.
Industry observers note that a regulated U.S. perpetual exchange could accelerate institutional participation. Historically, institutional traders have been hesitant to engage in crypto derivatives due to regulatory uncertainty and the prevalence of offshore platforms. A domestic, regulated exchange would provide a familiar compliance environment and potentially lower counterparty risk.
APEC’s strategy aligns with broader trends in the crypto market. The U.S. has seen a steady increase in the number of regulated exchanges, with Kalshi and other platforms gaining approval for Bitcoin and other crypto futures. The regulatory momentum is complemented by legislative efforts such as the Genius Act and the Responsible Financial Innovation Act.
In short, American Perpetuals Exchange Corp. has secured $30 million to build a regulated U.S. perpetual futures exchange. The platform will focus on crypto‑backed perpetual contracts and aims for dual oversight from the CFTC and SEC. The move follows the CFTC’s approval of Kalshi’s Bitcoin perps and reflects a broader shift toward regulated crypto derivatives in the United States.
APEC’s next steps involve finalizing regulatory approvals, completing platform development, and preparing for a launch that could reshape the U.S. crypto derivatives landscape.
Perpetual futures, or “perps,” differ from traditional futures in that they have no delivery date and can be held indefinitely, provided the trader maintains margin. The contracts settle in cash and involve periodic funding payments between long and short positions. Perps have gained traction in the crypto market because they combine the leverage of futures with the flexibility of a continuous contract.
APEC’s capital raise comes on the heels of a landmark regulatory development: on May 29, 2026, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) approved the first U.S.‑registered Bitcoin perpetual contract, allowing Kalshi to list its BTCPERP product. Kalshi’s perps quickly drew volume, reporting $1 billion in trading within a week of launch. The approval marked the first time a regulated U.S. exchange could offer a true Bitcoin perpetual, sparking interest in domestic platforms.
The company’s leadership frames the move toward regulated perps as part of a broader shift in the U.S. derivatives market. A memo from APEC’s legal team states that the firm is pursuing dual oversight from the CFTC and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The dual‑regulation strategy aims to provide a comprehensive framework for both futures and equity‑linked products, positioning APEC as a fully compliant exchange.
“The future of these markets is not in offshore and unregulated foreign entities but rather in a regulated and institutional American company,” Theodore Gillibrand, APEC’s founder and a Stanford graduate, told Fortune. The statement underscores the firm’s intent to align with the regulatory environment shaped by recent legislation. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand—Theodore’s mother—has been a vocal supporter of crypto regulation, introducing the Responsible Financial Innovation Act and backing the Genius Act, which established a framework for stablecoins.
APEC’s business model will focus on perpetual contracts tied to major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other high‑liquidity tokens. The company plans to launch its exchange after obtaining the necessary approvals, targeting the first half of 2027. While the exact launch date remains unconfirmed, the funding round and regulatory progress suggest that APEC is moving quickly to capture the growing demand for regulated crypto derivatives.
The $30 million investment will support the development of APEC’s matching engine, risk‑management systems, and compliance infrastructure. Lux Capital, known for backing technology and fintech ventures, led the round alongside other participants, signaling confidence from institutional investors.
APEC’s entry into the market arrives as U.S. regulators continue refining the framework for crypto derivatives. The CFTC’s approval of Kalshi’s Bitcoin perps was followed by a series of regulatory clarifications, including guidance on how perpetual contracts fit within the Commodity Exchange Act. Meanwhile, the SEC has been reviewing proposals for equity‑linked crypto products, a process that APEC intends to navigate.
Industry observers note that a regulated U.S. perpetual exchange could accelerate institutional participation. Historically, institutional traders have been hesitant to engage in crypto derivatives due to regulatory uncertainty and the prevalence of offshore platforms. A domestic, regulated exchange would provide a familiar compliance environment and potentially lower counterparty risk.
APEC’s strategy aligns with broader trends in the crypto market. The U.S. has seen a steady increase in the number of regulated exchanges, with Kalshi and other platforms gaining approval for Bitcoin and other crypto futures. The regulatory momentum is complemented by legislative efforts such as the Genius Act and the Responsible Financial Innovation Act.
In short, American Perpetuals Exchange Corp. has secured $30 million to build a regulated U.S. perpetual futures exchange. The platform will focus on crypto‑backed perpetual contracts and aims for dual oversight from the CFTC and SEC. The move follows the CFTC’s approval of Kalshi’s Bitcoin perps and reflects a broader shift toward regulated crypto derivatives in the United States.
APEC’s next steps involve finalizing regulatory approvals, completing platform development, and preparing for a launch that could reshape the U.S. crypto derivatives landscape.
