CFTC seeks public comment on derivatives for computing capacity as GPU futures near launch

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is asking the public what it thinks about trading derivatives tied to computing capacity. With AI model training consuming GPU resources at a pace that makes electricity grids nervous, US regulators are preparing to treat computing power the way they’ve long treated crude oil, natural gas, and soybeans: as a commodity worthy of its own futures market. The CFTC’s request for comment, submitted to the White House for review and made publicly available on August 17, signals that US regulators are preparing to treat computing power the way they’ve long treated crude oil, natural gas, and soybeans: as a commodity worthy of its own futures market. From server racks to trading floors Back in May, CME Group and data analytics firm Silicon Data announced plans to launch futures contracts linked to GPU rental price benchmarks. The target launch date is October 5, assuming the CFTC gives its blessing. These contracts would reference daily and hourly benchmarks for GPU rental prices, creating a standardized mechanism for price discovery in a market that has, until now, operated without one. Carmen Li, CEO of Silicon Data, has pointed out that GPU rental...