Deribit Intends to Enter U.S. Markets During Trump's Pro-Cryptocurrency Marcheshot
Hear ye, hear ye! Deribit, the behemoth of the crypto options exchange world, has its eyes set on the US market, thanks to a friendlier regulatory climate stateside.The Dubai-based exchange, which handled a whopping $1.3 trillion in notional trading volume in 2024, is now considering a foray into the US, according to the CEO Luuk Strijers as reported by the Financial Times.
Strijers points to a "recent shift toward a more favorable regulatory stance on crypto in the US" as the driving force behind the potential move, with the company hoping to capitalize on this opportunity for growth. It's also been rumored that Coinbase could be in talks to acquire Deribit, and both firms have already informed Dubai regulators about the potential deal.
If the merger with Coinbase goes through, Deribit's license in Dubai would need to be officially transferred, as per reports from Bloomberg published on March 21. Other major players in the crypto space are also gearing up to enter the US market, after years of avoiding it due to strict regulations.
Competitors such as Kraken are making moves like its acquisition of trading platform NinjaTrader to expand their services, with Deribit joining the ranks of European and Asian crypto firms seeking to establish a presence in the US. Firms like OKX, Nexo, Wintermute, and DWF Labs are also attempting to carve out a piece of the US market as excitement returns to the industry.
The renewed interest in the US market comes following a challenging period during President Biden’s term when the SEC and DOJ crackdown on crypto companies was particularly tough, most notably after the FTX collapse in 2022. Many firms chose to leave the US market due to unclear regulations and overzealous enforcement, but that trend seems to be changing rapidly.
Now, with President Donald Trump back in office, there's a promise to make the US the "crypto capital of the world." The industry is taking notice, with over a dozen enforcement actions being dropped or paused by the SEC since Trump's return. Additionally, the DOJ has even shut down its crypto enforcement unit.
Even where there might be concerns about conflicts of interest or lack of transparency in the new regulatory environment, the changed tone is enticing more crypto firms to consider entering or expanding in the US market. It's clear that a sea change in the US is on the horizon, and Deribit is aiming to ride that wave.
For more insights, check out our exclusive coverage on Gensler Reacts as SEC Drops Ripple XRP, Coinbase Cases.
Enrichment Data:The shift in the US regulatory stance on cryptocurrencies under President Donald Trump's administration in 2025 brings significant change, from skepticism to active support. Key developments include:
- Executive Order on Digital Financial Technology: An Executive Order titled "Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology" was signed in January 2025, creating a Presidential Working Group on Digital Asset Markets to evaluate the potential creation of a national digital asset stockpile and propose criteria for its establishment.
- Strategic Bitcoin Reserve: Plans for a strategic reserve including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, and Ripple were announced in March 2025, as a move to position the US as the "Crypto Capital of the World."
- Regulatory Appointments: Pro-cryptocurrency figures like David Sacks as the AI & Crypto Czar and Paul Atkins at the head of the SEC have been appointed by Trump, further indicating a more favorable regulatory environment. The dissolution of a DOJ unit investigating cryptocurrency fraud also signifies a shift towards a more accommodative stance.
- Deribit, having noticed the recent shift toward a more favorable regulatory stance on cryptocurrencies under President Donald Trump's administration, is considering a move to expand its business in the US market, capitalizing on the opportunity for growth.
- Amid the renewed interest in the US market, Ripple, along with other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, and several firms such as OKX, Nexo, Wintermute, and DWF Labs, are aiming to establish a presence in the US, drawn by the promise of more accommodating regulations.
