Blockchain.com has reportedly applied to the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission for two licenses that would allow it to offer prediction-market contracts and crypto derivatives to US customers, according to CNBC.
The applications come as US regulators and courts continue to debate who should oversee prediction markets, which let users trade contracts tied to the outcome of events such as elections or sports contests. They also add a regulatory dimension to Blockchain.com’s plans to expand its offerings beyond its existing crypto business.
Two licenses would support separate roles
The company is seeking designation as a designated contract market, or DCM, and registration as a futures commission merchant, or FCM. A DCM license would allow Blockchain.com to operate a futures exchange for event contracts. An FCM registration would enable it to act as a broker for derivatives contracts.
The reported applications cover services for both retail and institutional investors in the United States. Approval would also give Blockchain.com a path to operate its own prediction-market venue rather than limiting its role to connecting users with another platform.
Blockchain.com said in July that it intended to work with Polymarket on integrating prediction markets into its app. The reported CFTC filings suggest the company is also seeking the ability to build and run a marketplace itself, if regulators approve the applications.
Court disputes add uncertainty
The regulatory applications arrive while the legal status of prediction-market platforms is being tested in US courts. State authorities have brought cases against companies including Kalshi and Polymarket, alleging violations of state laws concerning betting on sports and elections.
New Jersey officials last month petitioned the US Supreme Court to consider the state’s dispute with Kalshi. A ruling in that case could help clarify the boundaries between federal and state oversight of prediction markets.
The CFTC’s position is also significant. Chair Michael Selig has repeatedly said the agency has exclusive jurisdiction over prediction markets. At the same time, he has defended moving ahead with cryptocurrency regulation through agency rulemaking instead of waiting for legislation from Congress.
CFTC chair cites FTX in crypto rules debate
In a Wednesday interview with Fox Business, Selig said proposed rules for licensed crypto businesses would add safeguards to spot cryptocurrency markets. On Friday, he said the measures were intended to prevent the theft of customer funds, referring to the collapse of crypto exchange FTX.
FTX filed for bankruptcy in November 2022, and several of its executives, including former chief executive Sam Bankman-Fried, later faced criminal charges. Selig is currently the CFTC’s only commissioner and its chair; the four other commissioner positions remained vacant as of Friday, with no White House nominations announced.
Separately, Blockchain.com was reportedly considering an initial public offering that could value the company at up to $6 billion and raise $500 million. That potential listing and the CFTC applications point to a broader effort to expand and formalize the company’s US operations, although approval of the licenses has not been reported.
Current market picture
Moneyiar market data at 11:39 a.m. Tehran time on October 11, 2026, showed mixed performance among the tracked assets:
- Ethereum Name Service (ENS): $6.1221054068, down 3.5% in 24 hours and 9.7% over seven days.
- Compound (COMP): $24.9170681285, up 0.14% in 24 hours and down 0.09% over seven days.
- RedStone (RED): $0.1479489658, down 1.12% in 24 hours and 15.22% over seven days.
- Propy (PRO): $0.3533179028, up 0.19% in 24 hours and down 2.17% over seven days.
