As the boundaries between cryptocurrency and traditional finance (TradFi) rapidly dissolve by 2026, global investors have never been more eager for "around-the-clock" access to core assets worldwide. Serving as a bridge between these two worlds, Gate officially launched two major perpetual contract products—EWJ (iShares MSCI Japan ETF) and EWY (iShares MSCI South Korea ETF)—in its contract stocks section on March 11. Both support leverage from 1x up to 20x.
Against the backdrop of heightened volatility in East Asian markets today (March 13), this move not only expands Gate’s cross-regional trading matrix, but also marks the first time crypto capital can easily tap into the index-level swings of Japanese and Korean equities using leveraged instruments.
More Than Just Stocks: When East Asian Indices Meet Perpetual Contracts
When people think of stock tokens, Tesla (TSLAx) or Nvidia (NVDAx) often come to mind—single-name equities. However, Gate’s newly listed EWJ and EWY are fundamentally tied to the broader economic performance of entire countries or regions.
- EWJ (iShares MSCI Japan ETF): Tracks the performance of large- and mid-cap Japanese equities and serves as a core tool for international exposure to yen-denominated assets.
- EWY (iShares MSCI South Korea ETF): Covers leading Korean companies, with strong links to semiconductors, shipbuilding, and technology sectors.
In traditional finance, trading these ETFs is strictly limited by local exchange hours and T+2 settlement cycles. On Gate’s contract stocks platform, all of that is reimagined. Users don’t need to open complex international brokerage accounts—trading is as simple as using USDT. More importantly, the introduction of perpetual contracts breaks the linear "long-only" mindset.
Recently, East Asian markets have shown clear regional rotation patterns due to global macroeconomic shifts. With Gate’s new EWJ and EWY perpetual contracts, savvy capital can implement multidimensional strategies—such as "long Japan, short Korea" or "short Japan, long Korea"—all within a single account. Such efficient hedging is nearly impossible with traditional brokers.
In-Depth Analysis: Three Major Impacts of EWJ and EWY on the Crypto Market
As of March 16, the growing adoption of these two East Asian ETF perpetual contracts is reshaping the crypto ecosystem in three key ways:
Breaking Geographical Barriers: Building a True 24/7 Global Trading Network
When the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) announced plans in early 2026 to explore 24/7 trading, the market saw it as a landmark move toward convergence with the crypto world. Gate, however, has already turned this vision into reality.
The addition of EWJ and EWY completes a critical piece of Gate’s stock token coverage in developed Asian markets. Previously, Gate’s stock token section had surpassed $140 billion in cumulative trading volume, with a monthly market share as high as 89.1%. Now, whether Asian investors are outside US market hours or when local East Asian news triggers market swings (such as sudden Nikkei 225 volatility during Asian trading hours), global traders can react instantly via EWJ and EWY perpetual contracts on Gate—no more waiting anxiously for local markets to open.
A Revolution in Capital Efficiency: Using USDT to Access East Asian Indices
For seasoned crypto traders, most assets are held in stablecoins like USDT. Previously, gaining exposure to Japanese or Korean equities required a cumbersome process: "withdrawing funds → currency exchange → cross-border remittance → funding a brokerage account"—a multi-day, costly ordeal.
Gate’s "spot + contract" dual-market model solves this pain point.
- Low Entry Barrier: Even with just $10, you can participate in EWJ or EWY through fractional holdings, democratizing access to these assets.
- Leverage Effect: Perpetual contracts with up to 20x leverage let traders express macro views on East Asian markets without tying up large amounts of capital. This means that during periods of crypto market volatility, funds can seamlessly flow into Gate’s stock token section to capture opportunities in traditional markets, dramatically boosting capital efficiency.
Hedging and Risk Management: Finding Certainty Amid Macro Volatility
The global market is currently in a high-volatility cycle. Since their launch on March 11, these products have coincided with fluctuating global risk sentiment. Historically, yen (JPY) and won (KRW) assets often display different correlations compared to US equities.
With Gate’s new EWJ and EWY perpetual contracts, crypto traders can, for the first time, build cross-asset hedging portfolios within the digital asset space.
- Hedge Against US Equity Pullbacks: When US tech stocks appear overvalued, allocating to undervalued EWJ (Japanese value stocks) can help diversify risk.
- Geopolitical Response: If East Asian geopolitical tensions rise, traders can quickly short EWY on Gate to lock in profits or mitigate risk—this "instant reaction" capability is unmatched in traditional finance.
The Big Picture: From Tech Giants to National Economies—A Complete Asset Matrix
Looking back at Gate’s product roadmap for March 2026, a clear trajectory emerges: from "single stocks" to "indices," from "the US" to "the world."
To date, Gate’s stock token section has built a robust asset matrix:
- The Tech Magnificent Seven: Tesla (TSLAx, $397), Nvidia (NVDAx), Meta (METAx, $638), and others cater to the pursuit of US equities.
- Crypto Barometers: MicroStrategy (MSTRx) and Coinbase (COINx) let users trade the volatility of "crypto stocks" directly.
- Macro Allocation Tools: S&P 500 index token (SPYx) and the newly listed EWJ and EWY form a comprehensive trading loop covering the world’s major economies.
This forward-thinking approach anticipates the core needs of future traders: not settling for single crypto assets, but seeking a super gateway to trade all valuable global assets with the familiar USDT tool.
Risk Disclosure and Rational Understanding
While Gate’s stock token products are physically backed 1:1 by shares held with regulated third-party custodians—ensuring tight price linkage—perpetual contract trading still carries important considerations:
- Lack of Shareholder Rights: Holding EWJ or EWY perpetual contracts does not mean owning ETF shares—you do not receive dividends or voting rights.
- Leverage Risk: While 20x leverage can amplify gains, it can also quickly erode your principal. Manage your positions prudently.
- Peg Volatility: In extreme market conditions, token prices may temporarily deviate from net asset value due to market sentiment.
Conclusion
While Wall Street is still debating how to put stocks on-chain and the regulatory feasibility of 24/7 trading, Gate users are already trading a full spectrum of assets—from Silicon Valley tech stocks to Japanese and Korean indices—24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The launch of EWJ and EWY perpetual contracts on March 11 is more than just the addition of two new products. It marks another milestone in Gate’s mission to break down financial barriers and enable true asset freedom. Whether you’re looking to hedge macro risks or capture short-term moves in East Asian markets, open the Gate App and search for EWJ or EWY. What you gain is not just 20x leverage, but a round-the-clock bridge connecting Eastern and Western markets.
