BitMEX, one of the earliest crypto derivatives exchanges and the creator of the perpetual swap contract, will permanently shut down on September 23, 2026, bringing an end to more than a decade of operations that helped shape the modern digital asset trading market.
In an official announcement, the exchange said its parent company, HDR Global Trading Limited, decided to wind down the business following a strategic review.
The exchange has also suspended new account registrations with immediate effect and is urging existing users to close open positions and withdraw their assets before the shutdown.
Trading to wind down in phases
BitMEX said trading will continue temporarily, but from August 26, 2026 (04:00 UTC), users will no longer be able to open new positions. Instead, they will only be allowed to reduce or close existing trades as the exchange gradually winds down its markets.
The company said it will begin force-closing remaining positions before the final shutdown to ensure an orderly exit. Any contracts still open when the exchange closes on September 23 at 04:00 UTC will be automatically liquidated at BitMEX’s discretion.
Even after trading ends, users will still be able to log in to access their account history and withdraw any remaining funds.
Crucial information for user funds
BitMEX warned that users who fail to withdraw assets before the closure date will face ongoing account charges.
Verified users leaving balances on the platform after September 23 will be charged the greater of $50 per month or an annualized 1% fee on their remaining assets. The exchange said the fee may increase over time if users continue to leave funds on the platform.
The company also cautioned users to remain alert for phishing scams exploiting the shutdown announcement. It noted that withdrawal processing could take longer than usual due to additional security reviews and blockchain network congestion, particularly on the Bitcoin network.
BitMEX added that all customer assets remain fully backed, citing its proof-of-reserves and liabilities disclosures.
From market leader to closure
Founded in 2014 by Arthur Hayes, Ben Delo, and Samuel Reed, BitMEX changed crypto derivatives trading by introducing the 100x leveraged perpetual swap, a product that later became an industry standard across centralized and decentralized exchanges.
At its peak, BitMEX dominated crypto derivatives trading, processing more than $1 trillion in annual trading volume during the 2019 market cycle and recording daily volumes exceeding $8 billion in 2018.
However, its market share steadily declined as traders moved to rival centralized and decentralized platforms offering deeper liquidity, broader token listings and more competitive trading conditions.
The exchange also faced years of regulatory scrutiny. In 2020, U.S. authorities charged BitMEX with failing to implement adequate anti-money laundering controls. The company later pleaded guilty, while co-founders Hayes, Delo, and Reed stepped down after criminal charges were filed.
BitMEX’s closure marks the end of one of the crypto industry’s most influential derivatives exchanges, whose innovations helped shape modern digital asset trading despite its later regulatory and competitive challenges.
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