Iliana Mavrou

New research by MEXC Ventures and Blockworks Research found that average daily stock futures trading volume surged more than 3,000% in Asia quarter over quarter. In Southeast Asia specifically, that number hit 6,648%. Open interest in precious metals futures reached $1.98 billion in May 2026, according to the report. To unpack what is driving the trend, DeFi Rate spoke with Vugar Usi, CEO of MEXC. To mark his first 100 days in office, Usi released a letter outlining the company’s priorities.

Bitcoin’s (BTC) price has been trading in the red since the start of the year, dropping from $96,000 to $58,000 at the start of July, with prediction markets speculating it will close at $64,000 by the end of the year. In six months, the cryptocurrency lost nearly 40% of its value.

Key Takeaways ▸ Prediction markets are increasingly functioning as early-warning systems for new information, often repricing risk ahead of traditional channels. ▸ Their edge is not just in forecasting accuracy, but in how prices move and what that reveals about participant behavior and liquidity. ▸ In crypto markets, prediction markets are becoming reflexive, where priced expectations can begin to influence positioning and price action itself.