Deribit Explores US Expansion, Driven by a More Crypto-Friendly Stance Under the Trump Administration

The Trump administration is quickly changing the crypto landscape in the United States, opening doors for major firms to enter the market and signaling a more lenient regulatory stance.

This week, Deribit, the world’s largest crypto options exchange, is reportedly eyeing a push into the US. The exchange, which clocked in a jaw-dropping $1.3 trillion in notional volume last year, is now “actively reassessing” entry into the U.S. market, according to an interview with the Financial Times.

Deribit's move comes amid a broader shift in tone from the Trump administration. As the administration takes a more crypto-friendly approach, major exchanges are preparing to return to the U.S.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which had been clamping down hard on crypto firms during the Biden era, has reportedly either paused or dropped over a dozen cases. In a surprising move, the Department of Justice has also dissolved its cryptocurrency enforcement unit, further indicating a softer touch.

Deribit's interest in the U.S. market was sparked by a conversation between Deribit CEO Luuk Strijers and the Financial Times. During the interview, Strijers highlighted the urgency of expanding into new markets, especially as competitors like Kraken are making big moves in the derivatives space.

Recently, Kraken acquired NinjaTrader for $1.5 billion and is expanding its offerings to attract institutional traders.

Moreover, talks of a potential Coinbase acquisition of Deribit are heating up, with both companies notifying Dubai regulators, signaling that this deal might be closer than expected.

Crypto firms are returning to the USA

Other major crypto firms are also exploring a return to the U.S. OKX just announced plans to open a U.S. headquarters in San Jose, California, and Nexo, which left the U.S. in 2022 due to unclear regulations, has said it plans to come back.

This growing trend reflects a larger shift in sentiment as Trump pushes his vision of making the U.S. the “crypto capital of the world.”

The message from the Trump administration is clear: regulation can be both responsible and growth-oriented.