Kalshi's Commodities Trading Surpasses Crypto as Volume Hits $400M

Kalshi's commodities trading volume has surpassed that of cryptocurrency, reaching over $400 million in monthly transactions. This milestone was achieved just seven months after the company launched its commodities markets. The rapid growth is attributed to improved liquidity on the platform, which has enabled a more diverse and larger participation pool.

The co-founder of Kalshi, Tarek Mansour, stated that 'liquidity is difficult to establish' because it requires a large number of active participants to ensure efficient entry and exit positions. The company's expansion into commodities and other asset classes comes as US regulators examine the legal framework surrounding perpetual futures and round-the-clock trading.

Kalshi is seeking regulatory approval for new products, including perpetual futures tied to equity indexes and metals. The proposed West Texas Intermediate crude oil contract would allow trading 24 hours a day, five days a week, if approved. However, regulatory hurdles remain, with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission reviewing applications on a case-by-case basis.