Shanghai Futures Exchange Plans AI Token Derivatives

The Shanghai Futures Exchange is in the early stages of designing a futures market for AI tokens, reports Reuters. These contracts would be tied to the smallest units of information processed by AI models, providing a new method for companies to manage costs related to AI usage.

The proposed AI token futures differ from efforts in the United States, where CME Group and the Intercontinental Exchange are preparing GPU compute futures based on the cost of renting computing power. In contrast, the Shanghai product would track AI tokens used to price model access and usage.

According to Reuters, the exchange’s research into token futures remains preliminary and has not yet received regulatory approval. The initiative aligns with broader efforts by Chinese institutions to strengthen domestic AI and financial infrastructure. China’s daily AI token usage reportedly exceeded 140 trillion by March 2026, reflecting rapid growth in computing demand.

Experts cited by Reuters describe token futures as a potential new asset class that could help balance costs across the AI supply chain, from data centers to software developers.