Gold, silver, indices: Binance explodes volumes with Perps

Binance is establishing itself as one of the most influential players in the new generation of derivatives markets, at a time when perpetual contracts from traditional finance are experiencing explosive growth. Between January and March 2026, these hybrid instruments saw their daily volumes triple, driven by growing demand for continuous, flexible and expiry-free trading. The border between crypto and TradFi markets is tending to disappear and a new ecosystem is emerging where centralized platforms monopolize most of the liquidity and redefine the standards of global trading.

Binance dominates TradFi-Perps

The Binance exchange platform confirms its central position in the derivatives market with around 41% overall share. According to a report from Binance Research, the average daily volume of traditional finance assets “TradFi-Perps,” as the document calls them, grew from $3 billion to $8.6 billion between January and March 2026. This rapid rise shows accelerated adoption of these hybrid instruments.

Perpetual contracts, with no expiration date, use a funding mechanism to track the spot price. This model, already dominant in crypto, represents more than 70% of the total volume of futures. Its extension to traditional assets facilitates continuous access to commodities and indices.

At the same time, centralized platforms (CEX) concentrate around 70% of the volume of these products, as indicated by report. Decentralized platforms (DEXs), which make up the remaining 30%, are lagging behind due to lower liquidity. This distribution confirms the key role of major platforms in this phase of expansion.

Crypto and precious metals trading: volumes on the rise

Data from Binance Research shows significant traction on certain assets, including silver. Perpetual contracts on this metal total around $240 billion in volume since the end of 2025. At their peak, they reach almost 40% of COMEX market volume.

At the same time, gold perpetual contracts are already outpacing several regional markets. The gap is widening each month, confirming a gradual change in trading habits. Investors favor more flexible and accessible tools.

Furthermore, continuous trading plays a key role in this evolution. Unlike traditional markets, which are closed on weekends, crypto platforms remain active permanently. During the weekend marked by geopolitical tensions at the end of February, volume reached $8.1 billion.

This level exceeds average weekday volume by 116% and significantly exceeds typical weekend levels. These figures show that traders use these markets to react immediately to world events.

Weekend perp trading establishes itself as a credible price indicator

The data also reveals a rise in weekend trading. Average volume increased by approximately 300% between January and March. It now represents almost 38% of the volume observed during the week.

Gold perpetual contracts also play a role in price formation. They anticipate the direction of traditional markets in 89% of cases according to the study. The correlation reaches 0.80, which reinforces their usefulness as a leading indicator.

At the same time, portfolio strategies are evolving. An allocation combining crypto, stocks and commodities improves returns while reducing volatility. The data also shows a drop in maximum losses in these diversified configurations.

On the regulatory front, the United States is moving toward a more integrated framework. The SEC and CFTC signed an agreement to facilitate multi-commodity activities. This development could reduce obstacles for platforms like Binance.

By way of conclusion, TradFi-perps are gradually establishing themselves as a new class of financial instruments, driven by the increase in volumes, the diversification of uses and the improvement of liquidity. Binance plays a central role in this evolution by connecting traditional finance and the crypto ecosystem. Despite ongoing risks, particularly related to counterparty and regulatory uncertainties, the data confirms strong and sustainable adoption. Ultimately, these instruments could establish themselves as a standard for continued access to global markets.