- BitMEX will permanently shut down on September 23, 2026.
- The exchange introduced the crypto industry's first popular 100x leveraged perpetual futures.
- Users have two months to close positions and withdraw funds.
BitMEX has announced it will permanently shut down on September 23, bringing an end to one of crypto's most influential derivatives exchanges. Founded in 2014 by Arthur Hayes and his co-founders, BitMEX pioneered the perpetual futures contract that later became the industry's most widely traded crypto derivative.
The exchange said new account registrations have stopped immediately, while existing users have until September to close positions and withdraw their assets. Beginning August 26, BitMEX will prevent users from opening new positions, allowing only trades that reduce existing exposure before all remaining positions are force-closed ahead of the shutdown.
The company said customer assets remain fully backed and withdrawals will continue even after the exchange closes. BitMEX did not disclose why it decided to shut down, though the company had reportedly been seeking a buyer since early 2025 following years of regulatory challenges and legal settlements.
