Huobi HTX Rolls Out Perpetual Futures for CIFR, APD and ASX, Backed by 1 Billion HTX Token Trading Competition

The exchange is expanding its derivatives suite with USDT-settled contracts and up to 20x leverage, while a four-day trading competition aims to drive early liquidity.

Cryptocurrency exchange Huobi HTX has moved to strengthen its position in the digital asset derivatives market with the launch of perpetual futures contracts for three new assets. In an official announcement released on September 11, the platform confirmed that CIFR/USDT, APD/USDT and ASX/USDT perpetual contracts are now live for trading. The rollout adds a fresh set of instruments to the exchange’s growing derivatives lineup and gives traders the opportunity to take both long and short positions on these assets. Perpetual futures, often referred to as perpetual swaps, have become a cornerstone of crypto trading because they do not carry a fixed expiration date. That means traders can hold positions for as long as their margin requirements are met, making them a flexible tool for navigating volatile markets. By introducing these contracts, Huobi HTX is catering to a broad range of market participants, from short-term speculators to longer-term position traders. The new listings also reflect the exchange’s broader strategy of expanding its product offerings beyond spot trading and into more sophisticated financial instruments. As the crypto industry continues to mature, derivatives have emerged as one of the most active and competitive segments, and exchanges are increasingly competing for volume by listing new assets and offering innovative trading features. With the addition of CIFR, APD and ASX, Huobi HTX is signaling that it intends to remain a relevant player in that race. The contracts are settled in USDT, the most widely used stablecoin in the crypto ecosystem, which simplifies the trading process for users who already hold Tether. The exact specifications of the contracts, including funding rates and margin requirements, are available on the exchange’s platform. For now, the key takeaway is that Huobi HTX is continuing to build out its derivatives infrastructure at a time when demand for leveraged trading products remains strong.

Under the newly launched contracts, users can open positions in either direction, betting on price increases or declines depending on their outlook for the underlying assets. Huobi HTX has set leverage options ranging from 1x to 20x, giving traders the ability to amplify their exposure without committing the full notional value of a trade. For example, with 20x leverage, a 5 percent move in the price of the underlying asset could result in a 100 percent gain or loss on the margin posted, depending on the direction of the trade. This kind of flexibility is one of the main reasons perpetual futures have become so popular among crypto traders. Unlike traditional futures contracts, which expire on a set date, perpetual contracts remain open indefinitely. To keep the contract price aligned with the spot market, exchanges use a funding rate mechanism that periodically charges or pays traders depending on the difference between the perpetual contract price and the underlying index price. While the original announcement did not provide detailed funding rate schedules for the new contracts, these mechanisms are standard for perpetual futures products. The availability of both long and short positions means that traders can attempt to profit from rising and falling markets alike. In a market as volatile as cryptocurrency, that ability is particularly valuable. It also means that traders need to be mindful of market conditions and manage their positions carefully, especially when using higher leverage. Huobi HTX’s decision to offer leverage up to 20x places the new contracts in line with similar products offered by other major exchanges. For users who prefer a more conservative approach, lower leverage settings are also available. The exchange has not specified any minimum or maximum position sizes for the new contracts, but standard trading rules and risk controls are expected to apply. As with all leveraged products, the potential for higher returns comes with an equally higher level of risk.

The launch of these new perpetual futures is part of a broader push by Huobi HTX to expand its derivatives portfolio and capture a larger share of the global crypto trading market. Over the past few years, derivatives have become the dominant segment of the cryptocurrency industry, with trading volumes on perpetual futures often exceeding spot market volumes on major exchanges. For exchanges, offering a wide range of derivatives products is no longer optional; it is essential to remain competitive. By adding CIFR, APD and ASX to its list of available perpetual contracts, Huobi HTX is broadening the range of assets that traders can use to express their views on the market. The move also comes at a time when many exchanges are racing to list new tokens and introduce new trading pairs in an effort to attract liquidity. Perpetual futures are particularly attractive to exchanges because they generate fees from both opening and closing positions, and they tend to appeal to active traders who generate high trading volumes. For Huobi HTX, the new listings could help drive engagement among both existing users and new customers looking for access to these specific assets. The exchange has been working to reposition itself in a highly competitive landscape, and product expansion is a key part of that effort. While the original announcement did not include specific details about the underlying projects or use cases for CIFR, APD and ASX, the decision to list them suggests there is enough market interest to justify dedicated perpetual contracts. The crypto derivatives market has grown rapidly in recent years, and exchanges are increasingly looking for ways to differentiate themselves. Some focus on low fees, others on advanced trading tools, and still others on the breadth of available assets. Huobi HTX appears to be pursuing a strategy that combines all three. The addition of new perpetual futures contracts, alongside a trading competition designed to drive activity, underscores the exchange’s focus on building liquidity and rewarding user participation.

Alongside the new listings, Huobi HTX has launched a special trading competition to mark the occasion. The campaign began on September 11 and is scheduled to run until 3:00 PM on September 15. To participate, users must first complete a registration process and then trade the newly listed perpetual futures contracts included in the campaign. The competition is designed to encourage trading activity and reward users who meet certain volume and participation thresholds. According to the exchange, eligible participants will have the opportunity to share in a total prize pool of 1 billion HTX tokens. The HTX token is the native digital asset of the Huobi HTX ecosystem, and the size of the prize pool reflects the exchange’s commitment to making the launch an event worth noticing. The exact criteria for earning rewards have not been fully detailed in the announcement, but the exchange has said that rewards will be distributed among users who meet the specified participation and trading conditions. This structure is common in the crypto industry, where exchanges often use trading competitions to generate buzz around new products and attract liquidity. For traders, the competition offers a chance to earn additional tokens on top of any profits from their trading activity. However, it is important to remember that trading competitions typically reward high trading volumes, which can encourage overtrading and increased risk. Participants should therefore approach the competition with a clear strategy and avoid taking on excessive leverage simply to chase rewards. The timing of the competition, running from September 11 to September 15, gives traders a four-day window to participate. The relatively short duration is likely intended to create a sense of urgency and drive concentrated trading activity in the new markets. As the campaign unfolds, the exchange will be monitoring trading volumes and user interest in the new contracts. The results of that monitoring could influence future listings and product decisions.

Huobi HTX has stated that rewards under the campaign will be distributed among users who meet the specified participation and trading criteria. This means that simply registering for the competition is not enough; users will need to actively trade the relevant perpetual futures contracts and reach certain thresholds to qualify for a share of the prize pool. The exchange has not yet published a detailed breakdown of how the 1 billion HTX tokens will be allocated, but such breakdowns are typically provided in the official terms and conditions of trading competitions. Participants are advised to review the rules carefully before entering. The use of HTX tokens as rewards is notable, as it ties the competition directly to the exchange’s native ecosystem. By offering HTX tokens, Huobi HTX not only incentivizes trading in the new contracts but also encourages participants to engage with the broader HTX platform. In the coming days, trading volume and user interest in the new contracts are expected to be closely monitored by both the exchange and outside observers. The success of the launch will likely be measured by the level of participation in the trading competition and the sustainability of trading volumes in the new perpetual futures markets. If the new contracts attract significant interest, it could pave the way for additional listings and further expansion of Huobi HTX’s derivatives offerings. On the other hand, if trading volumes remain low, the exchange may need to adjust its approach. For now, the launch represents another step in the ongoing evolution of Huobi HTX as a comprehensive crypto trading platform. The exchange has a long history in the industry, and its efforts to expand into new asset classes and products reflect the broader maturation of the cryptocurrency market. As more traders seek access to leveraged derivatives, exchanges that can offer a diverse range of assets and a reliable trading environment are likely to benefit.

Despite the opportunities presented by the new perpetual futures contracts, the exchange has also taken care to remind users of the risks involved. Leveraged trading is inherently risky, and the potential for significant losses is real, especially in the cryptocurrency market, where price swings can be sharp and sudden. Huobi HTX has emphasized the importance of paying attention to position size and risk management when trading these products. With leverage as high as 20x, even small adverse price movements can lead to liquidation. Traders should therefore consider using stop-loss orders, setting appropriate position sizes, and avoiding overexposure to any single trade. The announcement also included a clear disclaimer that the content is not investment advice, underscoring the need for users to conduct their own research and make informed decisions. This is a standard caution in the crypto industry, but it is particularly relevant when dealing with newly listed perpetual futures, where liquidity and price discovery may still be developing. The launch of CIFR/USDT, APD/USDT and ASX/USDT perpetual contracts is a notable development for Huobi HTX and its users, but it is not without risk. As with any new product, the true test will come in the days and weeks ahead, as traders begin to use the contracts and the market establishes a track record. Whether the new listings will attract sustained interest remains to be seen. What is clear is that Huobi HTX is continuing to invest in its derivatives platform and is willing to use incentives such as the 1 billion HTX token prize pool to drive engagement. For traders, the new contracts offer another way to participate in the crypto market, but they should be approached with caution and a clear understanding of the risks involved. Ultimately, the responsibility for safe trading rests with the individual investor. As the exchange itself notes, this is not investment advice. Those who choose to trade these new perpetual futures should do so with care, discipline, and a clear risk management strategy.