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CME will begin 24/7 crypto futures and options trading on May 29, pending approval.
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The exchange saw $3 trillion in crypto derivatives volume in 2025.
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Average daily crypto volume is up 46% year-over-year.
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The move addresses hedging gaps between regulated and spot markets.
Closing the Weekend Gap
CME Group announced it will launch round-the-clock cryptocurrency futures and options trading starting May 29.
Unlike traditional markets that close overnight and on weekends, crypto spot markets operate continuously. This has created timing gaps for institutions hedging exposure through regulated derivatives venues. CME’s move aims to eliminate that mismatch by making its crypto products “always on.”
The rollout remains subject to regulatory review.
Institutional Demand Surges
CME reported a record $3 trillion in notional crypto derivatives volume in 2025. So far in 2026, average daily crypto volume has reached 407,200 contracts, up 46% from a year earlier.
Initially known for bitcoin futures launched in 2017, CME has since expanded into ether and altcoin-linked derivatives, including products tied to Cardano, Chainlink, and Stellar.
As exchanges like Coinbase and Kraken push deeper into derivatives, CME’s 24/7 model strengthens its position as a regulated hub for institutional crypto risk management.
