Gate Stock Token Zone Launches EWJ and EWY Perpetual Contracts, Trade Japanese and Korean ETFs 24/7

As the barriers between cryptocurrencies and traditional finance (TradFi) accelerate to dissolve by 2026, global investors’ desire to trade core assets worldwide “around the clock” has never been stronger. Serving as a bridge between these two worlds, Gate officially launched perpetual contracts for two major ETFs—EWJ (iShares MSCI Japan ETF) and EWY (iShares MSCI Korea ETF)—on March 11 in its contract stock section, both supporting 1x to 20x leverage.

In the context of today’s (March 13) increased volatility in East Asian markets, this move not only enriches Gate’s cross-regional trading matrix but also means that crypto funds can now, for the first time, easily participate in index-level fluctuations of the Japanese and Korean stock markets through leverage tools.

Not Just Stocks: When East Asian Indices Meet Perpetual Contracts

When it comes to stock tokens, most people first think of individual stocks like Tesla (TSLAx) or Nvidia (NVDAx). However, the EWJ and EWY launched by Gate are fundamentally anchored to the overall economic performance of their respective countries/regions.

• EWJ (iShares MSCI Japan ETF): Tracks the performance of large and mid-cap Japanese stocks, serving as a core tool for international investors to allocate yen assets.
• EWY (iShares MSCI Korea ETF): Covers leading Korean companies, highly related to semiconductor, shipbuilding, and tech sectors.

In traditional finance, trading these ETFs is strictly limited by local exchange hours and T+2 settlement systems. But in Gate’s contract stock section, everything is fundamentally restructured. Users don’t need to open complex international securities accounts; they can trade using USDT. More importantly, the introduction of perpetual contracts breaks the linear thinking of only going long.

Recently, influenced by global macroeconomic conditions, East Asian markets have shown significant regional rotation. With the newly launched EWJ and EWY perpetual contracts on Gate, savvy funds can implement multi-dimensional strategies within a single account—such as “long Japan, short Korea” or “short Japan, long Korea”—which are difficult to achieve efficiently through traditional brokers.

In-Depth Analysis: The Three Key Implications of Launching EWJ and EWY for the Crypto Market

As of March 16, with the deep operation of these two East Asian ETF perpetual contracts, their impact on the entire crypto ecosystem will be reflected in three dimensions:

Breaking Regional Boundaries to Build a Truly 24/7 Global Trading Network

In early 2026, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) announced plans to explore 24/7 trading, marking a milestone for traditional finance to align more closely with the crypto world. Gate has already turned this vision into reality.

The launch of EWJ and EWY completes a crucial piece of Gate’s stock token map in developed Asian markets. Previously, the total trading volume of Gate’s stock tokens exceeded $140 billion, with a monthly market share of 89.1%. Now, when Asian investors are outside US stock trading hours, or when local news causes sudden movements (e.g., sharp volatility in the Nikkei 225 during Asian hours), global traders can respond in real-time on Gate via EWJ and EWY perpetual contracts, without waiting for local markets to open.

Revolutionizing Capital Utilization: Using USDT to Leverage East Asian Indices

For crypto traders, assets are mostly held in stablecoins like USDT. Previously, to invest in Japanese or Korean stocks, one had to go through a cumbersome process—“withdraw funds -> exchange currencies -> cross-border remittance -> deposit with broker”—which took days and incurred high costs.

Gate’s “spot + contract” dual-market model solves this pain point.

• Low barrier to entry: Even with just $10, you can participate in EWJ or EWY through fractional holdings, truly enabling “rain and dew” distribution of funds.
• Leverage effect: Supporting up to 20x leverage on perpetual contracts allows traders to express macro views on East Asian markets without tying up large amounts of capital. This means during crypto market volatility, funds can seamlessly flow into Gate’s stock token section to capture traditional market opportunities, greatly improving capital efficiency.

Hedging and Risk Management: Finding Certainty Amid Macro Volatility

Currently, global markets are in a high-volatility cycle. Since the launch on March 11, global risk sentiment has fluctuated. Historical data shows that assets like the Japanese yen (JPY) and Korean won (KRW) often have different correlations from US stocks.

With the new EWJ and EWY perpetual contracts on Gate, crypto traders can now build cross-asset hedging portfolios in the digital asset space for the first time.

• Hedge against US stock corrections: When US tech stocks are overvalued, allocate part of your portfolio to undervalued EWJ (Japanese value stocks) for risk diversification.
• Responding to geopolitical shifts: In case of East Asian geopolitical developments, traders can quickly short EWY on Gate to lock in profits or avoid risks. This “instant reaction” capability is unmatched by traditional finance.

Ecosystem Panorama: From Tech Giants to National Economies

Looking back at Gate’s product layout in March 2026, a clear mainline emerges: from “individual stocks” to “indices,” from “America” to “Global.”

So far, Gate’s stock token section has built a robust asset matrix:

• Tech giants: Tesla (TSLAx, $397), Nvidia (NVDAx), Meta (METAx, $638), satisfying extreme US stock exposure.
• Crypto bellwethers: MicroStrategy (MSTRx) and Coinbase (COINx), allowing direct trading of “crypto stocks” volatility.
• Macro allocation tools: S&P 500 index token (SPYx) and the newly launched EWJ, EWY, forming a macro trading loop covering major global economies.

This layout’s foresight lies in anticipating future trader needs: no longer satisfied with a single crypto asset, but seeking to trade all valuable assets worldwide within one super portal, using the familiar USDT tool.

Risk Warning and Rational Awareness

Although Gate’s stock token products are backed 1:1 by physically held stocks through regulated custodians, ensuring close price linkage, as perpetual contracts, the following points should be noted:

1. No shareholder rights: Holding EWJ or EWY perpetual contracts does not mean owning the ETF shares, nor do you have dividends or voting rights.
2. Leverage risk: 20x leverage can amplify gains but also quickly wipe out capital; please control positions reasonably.
3. Peg fluctuations: In extreme market conditions, influenced by market sentiment, token prices may temporarily deviate from net asset value.

Conclusion

While Wall Street is still debating how to bring stocks onto the blockchain and whether 24/7 trading can be compliant, Gate users are already trading a full spectrum of assets—from Silicon Valley tech stocks to Japanese and Korean indices—around the clock.

The launch of EWJ and EWY perpetual contracts on March 11 is not just about adding two new products; it’s another milestone in Gate’s effort to break down financial barriers and realize asset freedom. Whether you want to hedge macro risks or capture short-term pulses in East Asian markets, open the Gate App, search for EWJ or EWY—you’re not just getting 20x leverage, but a 24/7 bridge connecting East and West markets.