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LedgerX Gets Regulator Approval for Derivatives on Digital Currencies

Traders Magazine Online News, July 28, 2017

John D'Antona Jr.

LedgerX just got the nod to clear and settle derivatives contracts for digital currencies, such as bitcoin.

The U.S. Commodity Futures Commission said on Monday it has granted New York-based LedgerX, a bitcoin options exchange, the first license authorizing the exchange to provide clearing services for fully collateralized digital currency swaps, according to a report on Reuters.

LedgerX, which was also granted a license to operate as a swap execution facility early this month, initially plans to clear bitcoin options, the CFTC said in a statement.

Reuters also reported that the CFTC, however, also clarified in its statement that the approval of LedgerX's license "does not constitute or imply a commission endorsement of the use of digital currency generally, or bitcoin specifically."

With the settlement and clearing license, participants in the LedgerX trading platform will be able to hedge bitcoin and other digital currencies using exchange-traded and centrally cleared option contracts. Initially, LedgerX expects to list one- to six-month options contracts for bitcoin. Other digital currency contracts such as ethereum (ETH) options are expected to follow.

Ethereum is another online public ledger much like bitcoin, but with self-executing transactions.

LedgerX was founded in 2013.

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