Crypto Exchange Bybit Expands Pre-IPO Perpetuals with AI and Robotics Firms

In a move that further blurs the lines between traditional finance and decentralized trading, major crypto exchange Bybit has announced the addition of perpetual contracts for pre-IPO shares of robotics firm Unitree and artificial intelligence startup Moonshot AI. These instruments allow traders to speculate on the future valuation of companies that have not yet gone public, using the leverage and liquidity of the crypto markets.

Bridging Pre-IPO Access and Crypto Liquidity

The new listings are part of Bybit's growing suite of pre-IPO perpetuals, which have become popular among traders seeking early exposure to high-growth companies without waiting for an initial public offering. Unlike traditional pre-IPO investments, which often require accredited investor status and lock-up periods, Bybit's perpetuals offer continuous trading with no expiration date.

"Perpetual contracts for pre-IPO stocks democratize access to private market valuations," said a Bybit spokesperson. "We are seeing strong demand from retail and institutional traders alike."

Key features of the new contracts include:

• Leverage up to 5x on price movements of Unitree and Moonshot AI shares
• Funding rate mechanisms similar to standard crypto perpetuals
• 24/7 trading availability

Unitree is known for its advanced quadruped robots, while Moonshot AI is a rising player in large language models. Their addition reflects a broader trend of crypto exchanges tapping into the $2 trillion pre-IPO market, offering innovative ways for traders to bet on tech growth without traditional barriers.