What are perps, anyway? Everything you need to know about crypto’s hottest trading instrument

CryptoInfo Editorial Team · Published on July 27, 2026 at 15:00 · Updated on July 27, 2026 · 1 min read

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Key Takeaways

→Perps were first launched on BitMEX in 2016
→They have become one of the most traded financial products in the world

Disclaimer: This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice.

Perps, short for perpetual swaps, have become a staple in the crypto trading world, with a history dating back to 2016 when they were first launched on BitMEX.

According to reporting from CoinDesk, perps have grown to become one of the most traded financial products in the world, cementing their place as a key component of the crypto market.

Source: CoinDesk ↗