US retail broker to let clients trade bitcoin futures

Bitcoin futures and other derivatives would make it easier for more investors and speculators to trade the new asset class

(FILES) This file photo taken on June 17, 2014 shows bitcoin medals in Washington, DC.
US prosecutors have charged a New York woman with using Bitcoin and other crypto-currencies to send funds to the Islamic State group. Zoobia Shahnaz, 27, was arrested at her Long Island home on December 14, 2017 for sending over $150,000 through shell accounts in China, Pakistan and Turkey to benefit IS extremists.
 / AFP PHOTO / KAREN BLEIER
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The retail brokerage TD Ameritrade said on Friday it will allow clients to trade bitcoin futures on the newly minted CBOE Futures Exchange from December 18.

TD Ameritrade's shares were up 2.4 per cent in extended trading.

Bitcoin prices hit a record high of US$17,428 on Friday, amid warnings that it was a bubble on the verge of bursting.

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Cboe Global Markets launched its bitcoin futures contract on December 10, just over a week ahead of rival CME Group, as the exchange operator takes the next step toward launching an exchange-traded fund based on the digital currency.

Bitcoin futures and other derivatives would make it easier for more investors and speculators to trade the new asset class.

The first bitcoin futures trades kicked off on Sunday 23.00 GMT on the CBOE Futures Exchange.

Electronic brokerage firm Interactive Brokers Group earlier this week said it is offering bitcoin futures under the ticker symbol "GXBT" on the CFE and plans to offer the same on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) from December 18.