BitMEX has introduced a new derivatives instrument called Equity Perpetual Swaps (“Equity Perps”) that allows cryptocurrency holders to gain 24/7 leveraged exposure to shares of major U.S. companies, including Apple. Traders can use Bitcoin, Ethereum and other supported tokens as collateral to open positions on Apple with up to 20× leverage. The offering extends beyond single stocks to include indices such as the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite. To promote the launch, BitMEX has allocated a 70,000 USDT prize pool for traders who execute qualifying volume during the first month, rewarding top performers with bonus USDT. This product adds to BitMEX’s suite of perpetual futures by integrating traditional equity exposure into a crypto-native trading environment, potentially widening participation among retail and institutional digital-asset investors interested in Apple’s market performance without needing a traditional brokerage account.

Following a sharp 7% pullback from its December peak, Apple has received a Market Perform rating from Raymond James, down from Outperform, citing a stretched valuation at nearly 36× trailing earnings and investors’ already priced–in assumptions about robust iPhone and AI–driven services growth. The firm highlighted uncertainties around production cuts for Apple Vision Pro, management transitions at the executive level, and execution risks on the forthcoming Siri AI overhaul and rumored foldable iPhone. With a potential period of seasonal softness ahead and the index of implied volatility in Apple options near multi–year lows, investors should brace for heightened share swings around key catalysts such as the U.S. consumer price index report on January 13 and quarterly earnings later this quarter.