Indian cryptocurrency exchange WazirX announced the launch of futures trading on its platform on May 13, 2026. This move comes approximately seven months after the exchange resumed operations following a substantial $230 million cyberattack that severely impacted withdrawals and overall trading activity.
The introduction of futures trading is a key component of WazirX's ongoing efforts to revive user engagement and rebuild its business in the wake of the cyberattack. The company is undergoing a comprehensive restructuring process and a compensation initiative for affected users.
Competitive Fees and Rupee Trading
WazirX's new futures platform boasts highly competitive fees, offering a maker fee of 0.02% and a taker fee of 0.04%. The exchange claims these are the lowest rates among Indian crypto exchanges, notably without requiring users to meet any minimum trading volume thresholds. This approach aims to make derivatives trading accessible to a broader user base.
A significant feature distinguishing WazirX's offering is the ability for users to directly trade using Indian rupees (INR). This contrasts with many other crypto derivatives platforms that typically necessitate converting funds into stablecoins like USDT before trading, simplifying the process for Indian traders.
Promoting Responsible Participation
In a bid to foster responsible engagement in the crypto derivatives market, WazirX is implementing a mandatory knowledge test. Before users can access futures trading, they must complete this test, which covers critical aspects such as leverage, margin requirements, and liquidation risks.
Nischal Shetty, founder of WazirX, emphasized the platform's commitment to accessibility and fairness. "Futures trading in India has meant high fees unless you are a large-volume institutional trader. We have changed that baseline," said Shetty. "A trader starting out on WazirX Futures gets the same fee rate as an institutional trader on most other platforms. The aim is to provide a robust platform with low fees for futures traders."
Supporting Recovery and Creditor Compensation
Beyond enhancing trading options, the revenue generated through futures trading will play a crucial role in supporting WazirX's ongoing restructuring exercise. The company stated that profits from this new business segment will contribute to additional recoveries for eligible creditors holding recovery tokens, supplementing the 85% fund distribution already completed.
The exchange also indicated that the futures trading functionality would be rolled out in a phased manner. This approach will allow WazirX to manage liquidity, implement robust risk management measures, and ensure user readiness as the platform expands its derivatives offerings.