CME launches 24/7 bitcoin futures, $50M in debut

CME Group began around-the-clock trading for bitcoin futures and options on May 29, 2026. Over the debut weekend more than 7,200 contracts traded, representing about $50 million in notional value, the exchange reported.

The Chicago-based exchange expanded its Globex electronic platform to operate continuously. On June 1, CME confirmed that bitcoin volatility futures would also trade 24/7.

The extended hours let traders access regulated bitcoin derivatives at any hour, any day. CME reported both retail and institutional participants supported the opening weekend volume and that transactions cleared through the exchange’s central counterparty infrastructure.

Tim McCourt, global head of equities, FX and alternative products at CME Group, described the change as a response to client demand and added, “By offering continuous liquidity over the weekend, we are meeting client demand and bridging the gap between traditional regulated venues and the 24/7 nature of crypto assets.”

Robinhood Markets and Ripple Prime were among the first partners to enable access to the new hours. JB Mackenzie, vice president and general manager of Futures and International at Robinhood, called the launch a way to “bridge the weekend gap between traditional derivatives and spot markets.”

Bitcoin volatility futures began 24/7 trading on June 1. Those contracts let investors trade or hedge expectations for 30-day implied bitcoin volatility without taking a directional position on bitcoin’s price.

Ripple Prime, acting as a futures commission merchant on CME Globex, stated its trading and clearing infrastructure was built for continuous markets. Noel Kimmel, Ripple Prime’s president, said institutions managing digital-asset exposures need “uninterrupted access to regulated crypto derivatives and the clearing and financing infrastructure to match.”

Wedbush Securities confirmed participation and expanded operations to cover the exchange’s extended hours. Executive Vice President Bob Fitzsimmons noted the firm had provided 24/7 service to some clients for more than a year.

Before the expansion, U.S. regulated futures trading typically paused over weekends while spot cryptocurrency markets stayed open. CME first listed a bitcoin futures contract in 2017 and now offers a range of crypto derivatives.

CME noted the continuous trading schedule is intended to reduce the risk that positions accumulate during periods when no regulated hedges are available. Weekend trades will clear through the exchange’s existing margining and financing structures.