Bitget Adds Pharma and AI Stocks to Perpetual Contracts
TREE NEWS reports: On August 21, Bitget announced the listing of three new stock perpetual contracts: MRK (Merck), MRNA (Moderna), and TEM (Tempus AI). These contracts are settled in USDT, support up to 20x leverage, and are available for 7×24 trading. With this addition, Bitget now offers 280 stock perpetual contracts.
Industry Analysis: Expanding the Convergence of TradFi and Crypto
This move underscores a growing trend: crypto exchanges are increasingly offering traditional financial assets in a crypto-native format. By allowing users to trade US stocks with crypto collateral and leverage, Bitget is effectively bridging the gap between decentralized finance (DeFi) and traditional finance (TradFi). This is a form of synthetic exposure to real-world assets, where the underlying value is derived from equities but traded on a blockchain-based platform.
The choice of Merck and Moderna is notable. Merck represents a stable, large-cap pharmaceutical company, while Moderna is a high-growth biotech with significant volatility. Tempus AI, a healthcare AI company, adds a tech-forward element. This mix caters to both conservative and speculative traders.
From a regulatory perspective, these products exist in a gray area. They are not SEC-registered securities but rather synthetic derivatives offered by a crypto exchange. This allows global users to gain exposure to US equities without needing a traditional brokerage account, but it also raises concerns about investor protection and market manipulation.
Forward-Looking Perspective
As more exchanges list stock perpetuals, we can expect increased competition and innovation. The integration of real-world assets into crypto platforms is likely to accelerate, especially as regulatory clarity improves in major jurisdictions. For investors, this offers a new avenue for diversification, but it also requires a thorough understanding of the risks involved, including counterparty risk and the potential for extreme volatility.
Bitget’s expansion is a clear signal that the boundaries between crypto and traditional finance are blurring. The next phase may see more sophisticated products, such as tokenized bonds or ETFs, becoming available on crypto exchanges.
