CME Group to Launch 24/7 Crypto Futures and Options Trading in Early 2026

Core Insights - CME Group will launch 24/7 trading for its cryptocurrency futures and options products in early 2026, pending regulatory review, to meet increasing client demand for continuous risk management in the cryptocurrency market [1][8] Client Demand - Tim McCourt, global head of equities, FX, and alternative products at CME Group, highlighted the necessity of aligning regulated markets with the fast-paced digital asset sector to cater to client needs [2][3] Trading Operations - The cryptocurrency futures and options will trade continuously on the CME Globex platform, with only a two-hour weekly maintenance pause scheduled over the weekend [3] - Any trades conducted during weekends or holidays will be recorded with the following business day as the official trade date, ensuring consistent clearing, settlement, and regulatory reporting [4] Market Activity - CME Group reported record growth in its cryptocurrency derivatives complex, with notional open interest reaching $39 billion in September 2025 [5] - August 2025 saw an average daily open interest of 335,200 contracts, a 95% year-on-year increase, representing $31.6 billion in notional value, and an average daily trading volume of 411,000 contracts, a 230% increase from the previous year, equivalent to $14.9 billion in notional value [6] Market Expansion - CME Group offers a wide range of benchmark products across various asset classes, including digital assets, and operates through CME Globex, BrokerTec, and EBS, supported by CME Clearing [7] - The introduction of continuous trading for cryptocurrency products reflects the growing maturity of digital assets and strengthens CME's role as a bridge between traditional finance and the 24/7 nature of the crypto economy [8]