Perpetual contracts, the derivative product that first gained traction in crypto, are no longer confined to digital assets. They are now being used to trade a wider range of assets beyond cryptocurrencies, according to Matthew Fisher of Katana Network. Fisher said the contracts are becoming the way to trade everything.
A crypto innovation goes mainstream
Perpetual futures were pioneered by crypto exchanges as a way to offer leveraged trading without an expiry date. Unlike traditional futures, they use a funding rate mechanism to keep the contract price aligned with the spot price. That model is now being applied to other asset classes. Fisher's comment suggests the mechanism is gaining traction beyond its original niche.
What this means for traders
For traders, the expansion means access to perpetual-style contracts on assets like commodities and equities. This could offer more flexibility compared to standard futures, though the exact structure of these new products remains unclear. Katana Network, the firm Fisher represents, did not provide further details on which specific assets are being traded or which platforms are offering them.
The move reflects a broader trend of crypto-native financial tools being adopted by traditional markets. From decentralized finance to tokenization, concepts born in crypto are finding real-world applications. Perpetual contracts are the latest example. Whether they will replace traditional futures is an open question, but Fisher's statement signals growing momentum. For now, the product is making its way into the mainstream, one contract at a time.
