CFTC Launches Pilot Program to Allow BTC, ETH, and USDC to Be Used as Collateral
CFTC Acting Chair Caroline Pham announced a “digital asset pilot program” allowing certain cryptocurrencies to be used as collateral in derivatives markets.
The initial phase covers Bitcoin, Ethereum, and the stablecoin USDC. This move follows September’s tokenized collateral initiative and aims to expand the use of digital assets as collateral. Pham, the agency’s sole commissioner, has been shaping the CFTC’s crypto stance, including Bitnomial becoming the first exchange to list an approved crypto spot product and launching the “Crypto Sprint” program.
Participating FCMs must submit weekly reports on customer-held digital assets and any system outages affecting collateral. Coinbase noted the decision confirms that stablecoins and digital assets enable faster, cheaper payments and reduce risk. On the same day, the CFTC withdrew a previous document restricting FCMs from accepting digital assets as collateral, following the implementation of the GENIUS Act on stablecoins.$ETH
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