What crypto index futures does the Moscow Exchange offer, and who can trade them?

The full answer

What did Moscow Exchange announce?

Moscow Exchange published a press release on September 16, 2026 under a headline that translates as “Moscow Exchange launches perpetual futures on cryptocurrency indices” [1]. The release said that on September 22, 2026 the exchange would begin trading one-day settled futures contracts with auto-prolongation on its Bitcoin, Ether, Solana, Ripple and Tron indices [1].

The exchange says only qualified investors can trade them. It says the contracts are settled and involve no delivery of the underlying asset.

Auto-prolongation means the one-day contract rolls forward automatically, which is how the exchange arrives at the “perpetual” label in its headline. The announcement named five underlying indices. XRP exposure comes through the Ripple index only.

Who can trade them?

The release says the new contracts are available only to qualified investors [1]. Moscow Exchange said in its September 16, 2026 announcement that the new contracts are available only to qualified investors. Moscow Exchange said in its September 16, 2026 announcement that the new contracts are available only to qualified investors [1].

How do the contracts settle?

Moscow Exchange said the new instruments are settled and do not involve delivery of the underlying asset [1]. A holder therefore receives a cash result tied to an index and never receives coins.

Where does the XRP index come from?

The exchange’s index page says its XRP index was first calculated on May 13, 2026 [2]. The futures announcement came about four months after that date.

What do the contracts not show?

As of October 7, 2026, the announcement gives no trading volume or open interest for the contracts, so their uptake is unknown. It also says nothing about XRP serving as collateral. For where XRP margin is accepted elsewhere, see Can XRP be used as margin for futures, options and perpetuals, and where?.

What is the counter-view?

Futures on an index settled in cash add price exposure without adding any claim on XRP. The record of crypto lenders that failed in 2022 shows how exposure and custody can come apart; that is covered in What happened to XRP held with crypto lenders that collapsed in 2022?. For the wider set of forces on the XRP price, see What drives XRP’s price?. A related question, whether XRP fund shares serve as repo collateral, is answered in Are XRP ETF shares being used as repo collateral, and did Schwab buy XRP?.