CME Group plans 24/7 crypto derivatives trading from early 2026
CME Group will launch around-the-clock cryptocurrency futures and options trading in early 2026, pending regulatory approval.
Starting early 2026, CME Globex will let investors trade Bitcoin, Ether, Solana, and XRP derivatives 24/7. Weekend trades (Friday evening to Sunday evening) will be booked as the next business day, with clearing and reporting completed afterward. This plan is subject to regulatory approval.
In a press release, CME noted the schedule will include a minimum two-hour weekly maintenance window over the weekend. CME Group reported record levels for cryptocurrency futures and options in 2025, highlighting growing investor interest in digital asset derivatives.
While not all markets lend themselves to operating 24/7, client demand for around-the-clock cryptocurrency trading has grown as market participants need to manage their risk every day of the week,said Tim McCourt, Global Head of Equities, FX and Alternative Products at CME Group.
On September 18, notional open interest reached an all-time high of $39 billion. In August, average daily open interest rose 95% year on year to 335,200 contracts, representing $31.6 billion in notional value. Meanwhile, the average daily volume in August surged 230% year on year to 411,000 contracts, equivalent to $14.9 billion in notional value. The week of September 25 marked another milestone, with more than 1,010 large open interest holders across CME’s cryptocurrency products.
CME Group entered the crypto derivatives market in December 2017 with Bitcoin futures. Since then, the exchange has steadily expanded its offerings, which now include futures and options contracts on Bitcoin, Ether, Solana, and XRP, along with smaller-sized Micro contracts for greater flexibility.
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