The initiative will be implemented in partnership with clearing firm Nodal Clear. The two firms previously collaborated to launch 24/7 futures contracts for Bitcoin and Ethereum, leveraging Nodal Clear’s infrastructure to streamline market access and risk management.
Nodal Clear CEO Paul Cusenza described the integration as “a logical step forward in market innovation,” emphasizing its alignment with evolving customer needs and the broader adoption of digital assets for financial infrastructure.
Currently, only fiat currency qualifies for clearing requirements in the U.S. futures market. However, Coinbase Derivatives CEO Boris Ilyevsky confirmed that both companies aim to treat USDC on par with fiat for margin calculations, significantly reducing operational friction for traders and institutional participants.
The rollout is being conducted under the oversight of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which regulates both Coinbase Derivatives and Nodal Clear. The companies expect full implementation of USDC collateral support by 2026, pending regulatory review and market integration.
The announcement comes as stablecoins gain traction for settlement and collateral in both crypto and traditional markets. Earlier, Shopify enabled payments in USDC through its partnership with Coinbase and Stripe, reflecting the stablecoin’s growing acceptance in mainstream financial and commercial use cases.