The exchange plans to seek designated contract market status as it expands beyond spot crypto trading into prediction markets and perpetual products. Binance.US plans to apply for a designated contract market license from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission next month as the exchange prepares to expand into prediction markets. Receiving designated contract market status would allow Binance.US to operate a derivatives exchange under CFTC oversight and potentially list event contracts for retail customers. The planned application advances a broader comeback strategy centered on lower trading fees and an expansion beyond spot crypto trading. At its peak in 2022, Binance.US controlled roughly 20% of the US crypto exchange market, according to CoinDesk Indices data.