CFTC Launches Inquiry Into AI Compute Futures to Establish Compute as Tradable Asset

US derivatives regulators are seeking public input on the regulation and trading of processing power contracts used in the artificial intelligence sector. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is examining how to structure a futures market for the capacity that underpins AI models to ensure a regulated framework for the emerging asset.

The inquiry follows a trend among industry heavyweights to embrace compute as a tradable asset. The agency aims to determine how these futures could be traded and regulated as the sector develops financial infrastructure around its processing requirements.