US CFTC OKs crypto firm Bitnomial's vertical integration plan

FILE PHOTO: Signage is seen outside of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 30, 2020. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission on Wednesday voted to approve a plan from a Chicago cryptocurrency derivatives exchange and brokerage to also act as its own registered clearinghouse.

The approval of the plan by Bitnomial, an exchange founded in 2014, marks the first time the commodities regulator has voted to allow a vertically-integrated market structure. Bitnomial also has exchange and broker licenses. Two Democratic and two Republican commissioners voted to OK the firm's application, while the third Democratic commissioner dissented.