# Perpetual Futures in the US and UK: What Traders Should Know > Perpetual futures access depends on where you live and on the product. In the UK, the FCA has banned selling crypto derivatives to retail consumers. In the US, regulated venues have begun listing perpetual-style contracts while offshore venues generally exclude US persons. Prop firms set their own country rules on top. **Source:** https://propfirmpal.com/perpetuals/guides/perpetual-futures-us-uk-access **Generated:** 2026-11-11 **Publisher:** Prop Firm Pal - independent prop firm comparison _Prop Firm Pal earns affiliate commission from some listed firms. This is disclosed on-site and does not affect the computed ranking order._ --- _Updated 2026-11-10._ > **Note:** General information as of the date above, not legal advice. Regulation here is moving quickly and can change; check the regulator’s current position and the firm’s terms for your country. ## United Kingdom The [FCA banned the sale, marketing and distribution of crypto derivatives to retail consumers](https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/fca-proposes-ban-sale-crypto-derivatives-retail-consumers), with the rules taking effect in January 2021. When it [reopened retail access to certain crypto exchange traded notes](https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/fca-lift-ban-crypto-etns-support-uk-growth-and-competitiveness) in 2025, the derivatives restriction was reported to remain in place. Confirm the current position with the FCA. Whether a simulated prop firm account falls within such a ban is a separate legal question that depends on how a programme is structured. Some firms exclude UK residents from some products and others do not. We do not offer a view on any particular firm’s position. ## United States Derivatives offered to US persons fall under the Commodity Exchange Act and the CFTC. Many offshore perpetual venues exclude US persons in their terms. On regulated venues the picture has been changing: perpetual-style contracts began reaching US customers in 2025, and [further CFTC actions were reported in 2026](https://www.pymnts.com/cpi-posts/cftc-opens-door-to-perpetual-crypto-futures-trading-in-us/). The details and who can access them are moving, so check the exchange and the CFTC directly. ## Why a prop firm’s country list matters A prop firm decides which countries it accepts, and that list can differ between products and change without notice. A firm accepting your country for one product does not mean it accepts you for another. Check before you pay, and check whether the terms require you to confirm your own legal eligibility. ## Frequently asked questions ### Are perpetual futures legal in the US? Rules depend on the product and venue. CFTC-regulated venues have introduced perpetual-style contracts, while many offshore venues exclude US persons. Check the current position with the venue and regulator. ### Can UK residents trade crypto perpetual futures? The FCA has banned the sale of crypto derivatives to retail consumers. Professional clients are treated differently. Check the FCA’s current position and take advice if you are unsure. ### Do prop firms accept US or UK traders for perps? Some do and some do not, and it can vary by product. We record country access per firm where it is published. ## Sources - [FCA: proposal to ban the sale of crypto derivatives to retail consumers](https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/fca-proposes-ban-sale-crypto-derivatives-retail-consumers) - [FCA: lifting the ban on crypto exchange traded notes](https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/fca-lift-ban-crypto-etns-support-uk-growth-and-competitiveness) - [PYMNTS: CFTC opens door to perpetual crypto futures trading in the US](https://www.pymnts.com/cpi-posts/cftc-opens-door-to-perpetual-crypto-futures-trading-in-us/) ## Related pages - [What are perpetual futures?](https://propfirmpal.com/perpetuals/guides/what-are-perpetual-futures) - [Perpetual futures prop firms compared](https://propfirmpal.com/perpetuals) - [What is a prop firm?](https://propfirmpal.com/learn/what-is-a-prop-firm) - markdown: https://propfirmpal.com/learn/what-is-a-prop-firm.md - [How funded trading accounts work](https://propfirmpal.com/learn/funded-trading-accounts) - markdown: https://propfirmpal.com/learn/funded-trading-accounts.md - [How to get a funded trading account](https://propfirmpal.com/learn/how-to-get-a-funded-trading-account) - markdown: https://propfirmpal.com/learn/how-to-get-a-funded-trading-account.md - [How prop firm challenges work](https://propfirmpal.com/learn/how-prop-firm-challenges-work) - markdown: https://propfirmpal.com/learn/how-prop-firm-challenges-work.md - [Instant funding vs evaluation](https://propfirmpal.com/learn/instant-funding-vs-evaluation) - markdown: https://propfirmpal.com/learn/instant-funding-vs-evaluation.md - [Why traders fail prop firm challenges](https://propfirmpal.com/learn/why-traders-fail-prop-firm-challenges) - markdown: https://propfirmpal.com/learn/why-traders-fail-prop-firm-challenges.md - [Prop firm drawdown types explained](https://propfirmpal.com/learn/prop-firm-drawdown-types) - markdown: https://propfirmpal.com/learn/prop-firm-drawdown-types.md - [How to scale a funded account](https://propfirmpal.com/learn/how-to-scale-a-funded-account) - markdown: https://propfirmpal.com/learn/how-to-scale-a-funded-account.md - [Futures vs forex prop firms](https://propfirmpal.com/learn/futures-vs-forex-prop-firms) - markdown: https://propfirmpal.com/learn/futures-vs-forex-prop-firms.md - [How to choose a prop firm](https://propfirmpal.com/learn/how-to-choose-a-prop-firm) - markdown: https://propfirmpal.com/learn/how-to-choose-a-prop-firm.md - [Prop firm vs broker vs hedge fund](https://propfirmpal.com/learn/prop-firm-vs-broker-vs-hedge-fund) - markdown: https://propfirmpal.com/learn/prop-firm-vs-broker-vs-hedge-fund.md - [How do prop firms make money?](https://propfirmpal.com/learn/how-do-prop-firms-make-money) - markdown: https://propfirmpal.com/learn/how-do-prop-firms-make-money.md - [How prop firm payouts work](https://propfirmpal.com/learn/how-prop-firm-payouts-work) - markdown: https://propfirmpal.com/learn/how-prop-firm-payouts-work.md - [Can you make money with a prop firm?](https://propfirmpal.com/learn/can-you-make-money-with-a-prop-firm) - markdown: https://propfirmpal.com/learn/can-you-make-money-with-a-prop-firm.md - [Prop firm taxes](https://propfirmpal.com/learn/prop-firm-taxes) - markdown: https://propfirmpal.com/learn/prop-firm-taxes.md - [Are prop firms legit?](https://propfirmpal.com/learn/are-prop-firms-legit) - markdown: https://propfirmpal.com/learn/are-prop-firms-legit.md - [Are prop firms regulated?](https://propfirmpal.com/learn/are-prop-firms-regulated) - markdown: https://propfirmpal.com/learn/are-prop-firms-regulated.md - [Are prop firms going away?](https://propfirmpal.com/learn/are-prop-firms-going-away) - markdown: https://propfirmpal.com/learn/are-prop-firms-going-away.md