CME Group, one of the world's largest derivatives markets, has announced it will open regulated cryptocurrency futures and options contracts for trading 24/7. According to a statement shared via PR Newswire, the new system will go live on May 29th, following regulatory approval. Tim McCourt, Global Head of Equities, Foreign Exchange and Alternative Products at CME, stated that demand for risk management in the digital asset market has reached historic levels. McCourt noted that the total nominal volume of cryptocurrency futures and options products on CME will reach $3 trillion by 2025. This figure demonstrates the strengthening trend of institutional investors towards regulated and transparent products. CME management acknowledges that not every market is suitable for 24/7 trading; however, they emphasize that crypto assets, by their nature, are traded continuously. Therefore, continuous access will be provided to allow investors to manage their exposure in real-time and take positions against price movements that may occur over the weekend.
Starting May 29th
According to the new arrangement, CME Group's crypto futures and options contracts will be traded continuously on the CME Globex platform from 4:00 PM CT on Friday, May 29th. The system will remain open throughout the weekend, except for a minimum two-hour maintenance break. Transactions from Friday evening to Sunday evening will be recorded with the next business day's trading date. Clearing, settlement, and regulatory reporting will also be carried out on the following business day. This structure aims to maintain the regulatory and operational framework while offering continuous trading opportunities.
Record Increase in Volumes
CME's crypto products have also gained strong momentum in 2026. The average daily trading volume since the beginning of the year has reached 407,200 contracts; this represents a 46 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The average daily open interest has increased by 7 percent year-on-year to 335,400 contracts. In the futures market alone, the average daily volume reached 403,900 contracts, with a 47% year-on-year increase. The figures show that institutional participation is steadily increasing and the crypto derivatives market is evolving into a more mature structure. Institutional interest is deepening
CME Group offers global benchmark products across many asset classes, including interest rates, equity indices, currencies, commodities, and crypto assets. The company conducts futures and options trading through CME Globex; operates BrokerTec for fixed income products and EBS for currencies. It also houses CME Clearing, one of the world's leading central clearing houses.
The high volatility of crypto markets, even on weekends, poses a significant risk, especially for institutional investors. While the spot market is open 24/7, the fact that regulated derivative products are limited to certain hours can make risk management difficult. CME's move aims to eliminate the time gap between the traditional financial infrastructure and the trading dynamics of the crypto market. The 24/7 trading model, which will become operational on May 29th if regulatory approval is finalized, is seen as the beginning of a new era in the crypto derivatives market. This step, which facilitates institutional investors' access to digital assets, could also contribute to further deepening liquidity in regulated markets.
