CME launches 24/7 crypto futures; Ripple Prime clears XRP

CME Group began round-the-clock trading of crypto futures and options on June 1 on its CME Globex platform. The exchange opened continuous sessions that include weekends and overnight hours for professional traders.

Ripple Prime, formerly Hidden Road, joined as a day-one Futures Commission Merchant to provide clearing and financing for institutions trading XRP derivatives on the expanded schedule. As an FCM, Ripple Prime will handle trade clearing, provide financing where appropriate, and coordinate margining with CME’s clearinghouse.

The continuous trading window runs on CME Globex and allows market participants to enter and exit futures and options positions outside traditional weekday hours. The schedule extends regulated access to derivatives at times when many spot crypto venues operate without interruption.

XRP futures on CME reached $1 billion in open interest within three months last year, a milestone the firms cite when describing demand for regulated XRP products. Market participants have used futures contracts to hedge exposure and manage risk tied to events that occur outside standard market hours.

Ripple Prime executives said the firm was built to support always-on markets and to reduce operational friction for institutions using continuous trading. On the social platform X, Mike Higgins, International CEO of Ripple Prime, wrote that CME is “officially live with 24/7 crypto futures & options trading.” Noel Kimmel, president of Ripple Prime, wrote that the company aims to provide uninterrupted access to regulated crypto derivatives and to supply the clearing and financing infrastructure institutions require.

Under the FCM model, Ripple Prime can net and clear trades for clients, extend financing arrangements, and coordinate margin calls so institutions can maintain positions through weekends or overnight moves without relying on unregulated venues for liquidity.

Regulated futures and options offer a way for institutions to gain exposure to digital assets while operating within established exchange and clearing frameworks. The new 24/7 schedule expands that framework beyond weekday hours, allowing institutions to align hedging and trading activity more closely with continuous spot markets.