Binance reported a futures trading volume of $1.61 trillion in June, an 80% increase from May, despite a broader slump in cryptocurrency spot trading. This volume marks a new high for 2026, according to CryptoQuant analyst Maarten Regterschot, who uses the moniker “Maartuun.” The surge in futures trading occurs as spot trading remains at its lowest levels in two years.
Binance’s volume significantly outpaced competitors, with OKX and Bybit recording $609 billion and $434 billion in June, respectively. Both exchanges also saw increases from May, with OKX up 9% and Bybit up 18%. In January 2026, Binance processed around $1.5 trillion in futures volume, while OKX and Bybit achieved volumes of $667 billion and $502 billion, respectively.
Despite Binance’s strong June results, the overall centralized exchange (CEX) futures market faced challenges, with total futures volume dropping to $15.7 trillion in the second quarter of 2026, down 11% from $17.6 trillion in Q1. This decline marks the third consecutive quarterly drop, although it was less severe than the 31% decline seen in Q1 compared to Q4 2025. Binance retained its position as the largest futures venue, holding approximately 28% market share.
In contrast, spot trading saw a more significant downturn, with CEX spot volume falling to $3 trillion in Q2, the weakest quarter in two years, and an 18.9% decline from Q1. Binance remained the largest spot exchange with a quarterly volume of $731 billion, though its market share decreased from 27% to 24%.
Binance’s futures surge comes just prior to the conclusion of the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) transition period in Europe. The exchange withdrew its application for a license in Greece in late June, shortly before the regulatory framework’s next phase on July 1. Early data from July indicate that Binance’s futures market remained active, with $418 billion recorded in the first 10 days of the month.
