Bybit has launched a set of U.S. stock and ETF perpetual contracts with up to 20x leverage, extending its derivatives menu into equity-linked products and giving crypto-native traders a way to gain leveraged exposure to traditional-market assets from within the exchange.
The new instruments are perpetual contracts, a derivatives format with no expiry date, tied to U.S. stocks and exchange-traded funds. Bybit has been rolling out equity-linked perpetuals in batches, including an initial group of U.S. stock perpetual contracts detailed in the exchange’s official announcement.
Recent additions to Bybit’s equity perpetual lineup include contracts covering sector ETFs, as seen when the exchange added SMH, XBI and XLE U.S. stock perpetual contracts, and single-name products such as its SKHY U.S. stock perpetual contract. The latest launch continues that expansion.
What equity-linked perpetuals offer crypto traders
Perpetual contracts appeal to active traders who want leveraged directional exposure without holding the underlying asset. By listing contracts referencing U.S. stocks and ETFs, Bybit lets users speculate on traditional-market themes using the same account and margin they use for crypto pairs.
Bybit has framed the broader initiative as bringing traditional-finance assets into a round-the-clock trading format, describing the products as 24/7 TradFi perpetual contracts covering U.S. stocks and global ETFs in its press release.
That structure differs from spot equity trading, where markets close outside exchange hours. Continuous trading is a core reason crypto-native venues position these products as a bridge between digital-asset and equity markets.
Why up to 20x leverage matters
Up to 20x leverage means a trader can control a position up to twenty times the size of the collateral posted. That amplifies both gains and losses relative to an unleveraged position.
The same mechanism that magnifies upside also raises liquidation risk. A relatively small adverse move in the underlying stock or ETF price can wipe out the margin backing a highly leveraged position, so the leverage ceiling is a central consideration for anyone using these contracts.
How the launch fits Bybit’s product strategy
Listing equity-linked perpetuals signals deliberate diversification beyond core crypto trading pairs. Coverage of the exchange’s expanding TradFi perpetual offering has been noted by industry outlet Structured Retail Products.
A wider instrument menu can help an exchange attract and retain active traders who otherwise split activity across separate crypto and equity platforms. The move mirrors a broader industry pattern of venues broadening product ranges, as seen when Kraken added USD-settled BTC and ETH options.
FAQ
What did Bybit launch? Bybit launched U.S. stock and ETF perpetual contracts, derivatives that track the price of U.S. equities and exchange-traded funds, with up to 20x leverage.
What does up to 20x leverage mean? It allows a position up to twenty times the size of the posted collateral, increasing both potential returns and the risk of liquidation.
Why would crypto traders use these contracts? They provide leveraged, round-the-clock exposure to traditional-market assets from within a crypto exchange account, without holding the underlying stock or ETF.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency and digital asset markets carry significant risk. Always do your own research before making decisions.
