PANews, June 23 – According to an official announcement, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is formally soliciting public comment on two developments related to energy derivatives markets: first, extending standard futures contracts to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week trading, and second, the possibility of listing perpetual contracts with physically deliverable or storable energy commodities (such as crude oil) as the underlying asset.

CFTC Chairman Michael S. Selig stated that this initiative aims to gather a clear, data-driven record to better understand the impact of these developments, supporting responsible innovation while safeguarding markets from manipulation and disruption. The comment solicitation is divided into two parts: one concerning the extension of standard futures contracts to 24/7 trading while maintaining fixed expiration dates, and the other concerning perpetual contracts involving physically delivered energy commodities. Comments must be submitted within 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.