Lighter’s LIT token climbs over 15% as exchange eyes US license filing

Lighter’s LIT token rose more than 15% on October 21, 2026, reaching approximately $3.90. The move came as the perpetual futures exchange said it plans to seek a US license next month. Lighter’s management plans to file for a derivatives license with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in November 2026. If approval eventually comes, it could open the door to wider institutional access in the US market. What’s driving the move Lighter is a decentralized exchange built around perpetual futures, or “perps.” These are futures contracts that never expire, allowing traders to hold a leveraged bet on an asset’s price indefinitely without ever owning the asset itself. Founder Vladimir Novakovski has said the team has spent roughly a year in conversations with regulators. The research cites more than 11 months of discussions ahead of the planned filing. His stated goal: make Lighter the first on-chain perpetual decentralized exchange to obtain legal approvals from the CFTC. Such approval could also lay the groundwork for a dedicated US operating entity. The Robinhood connection Robinhood Chain launched on July 1, 2026, and integrated Lighter for perpetual trading. The arrangemen...