Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit has expanded its pre-IPO perpetual futures offerings, adding contracts tied to Chinese robotics firm Unitree and artificial intelligence company Moonshot AI, giving traders exposure to high-profile private companies before they go public.
Expanding Into Private Markets
The new listings mark another step in Bybit's push to bridge traditional finance and crypto derivatives. Pre-IPO perpetuals allow traders to speculate on the valuation of privately held companies that have not yet listed on public stock exchanges, opening access to firms that are typically reserved for venture capitalists and institutional investors.
Unitree, a Chinese manufacturer known for its quadruped and humanoid robots, and Moonshot AI, a fast-growing developer in the artificial intelligence space, are among the most closely watched private companies in their respective industries. Both have drawn significant investor attention amid booming interest in robotics and AI.
Traders can now bet on some of the hottest private tech names long before their shares hit public markets.
A Growing TradFi Lineup
The additions come as Bybit's traditional finance perpetuals lineup has grown to more than 200 products. The catalog now spans a wide range of asset classes, reflecting the exchange's ambition to serve as a one-stop venue for both crypto-native and conventional market exposure.
Bybit's expanded offering covers several categories:
- Equities and individual stocks
- Exchange-traded funds
- Commodities
- Market indices
- Private, pre-IPO companies
The move underscores a broader trend among crypto platforms racing to blend digital asset trading with access to private markets. By tokenizing exposure to unlisted firms, exchanges aim to attract users seeking diversified, around-the-clock trading opportunities beyond conventional cryptocurrencies.
As competition intensifies across the derivatives sector, offerings like pre-IPO perpetuals could become a key differentiator, though they also raise questions about pricing transparency and the risks of speculating on companies whose valuations remain private.