Coinbase Now Lets You Trade SpaceX Before It Even Goes Public — Here's What Pre-IPO Perps Actually Are

WHY IT MATTERS

Imagine you wanted to invest in SpaceX, but you can't because it's a private company — only big-money investors get access. Coinbase is now offering a workaround using something called 'perpetual futures,' which are basically bets on what a company is worth, without you actually owning shares. Think of it like placing a wager on a horse before the race is even officially scheduled. This matters because it opens doors that were previously locked for everyday investors, and it shows how crypto platforms are evolving to compete with traditional Wall Street products. If you're new to crypto, this is a sign that exchanges like Coinbase want to be your one-stop shop for all kinds of financial trading — not just Bitcoin and Ethereum.