CME Group(US:CME) Zhi Tong Cai Jing·2026-01-21 06:05Core Viewpoint - CME Group announced the launch of a 100-ounce silver futures contract on February 9, 2026, pending regulatory approval, aimed at attracting retail traders amid geopolitical uncertainties and energy transitions [1] Group 1: Product Launch - The 100-ounce silver futures will be cash-settled based on the daily settlement price of the global benchmark silver futures and will be listed on the COMEX [1] - This new contract is expected to provide a broader range of participants with investment opportunities, benefiting from the liquidity and efficiency of the futures market [1] Group 2: Market Demand and Trends - There is a growing appeal of silver to retail traders who seek to diversify their risk exposure through various metal products [1] - The demand for silver is currently high, prompting CME Group to expand its small-scale product offerings [1] Group 3: Industry Insights - Robinhood Markets expressed that the new futures contract aligns with their mission to democratize financial services, offering customers a lower capital way to trade silver [1] - Plus500US noted that the new contract will allow global customers to seize silver market opportunities in a more flexible and cost-effective manner [1] Group 4: Trading Volume Records - In 2025, retail demand for CME Group's metal futures surged, leading to record trading volumes, with micro gold and micro silver futures averaging 301,000 and 48,000 contracts per day, respectively [1] - The cumulative trading volume for the 1-ounce gold futures contract, launched on January 13, 2025, exceeded 6 million contracts [1]