Core Insights - CME Group reported record trading activity in 2025 with average daily volume (ADV) reaching 28.1 million contracts, a 6% increase from the previous year, highlighting its central role in global risk management amid macro volatility and institutional participation [1] Trading Activity Overview - In the fourth quarter, ADV climbed to a record 27.4 million contracts, with December ADV reaching 23.5 million, marking the strongest December on record, driven by heightened demand for hedging tools due to shifting rate expectations and commodity price volatility [2] Interest Rates and Equities - Interest rate products were the backbone of CME's activity, with full-year interest rate ADV rising 4% to a record 14.2 million contracts, driven by heavy trading in U.S. Treasury futures and options, as well as SOFR-linked products [3] - U.S. Treasury futures and options posted a record annual ADV of 8.3 million contracts, while SOFR futures and options reached 5.4 million, indicating traders' positioning around Federal Reserve policy [3] Equity Index Derivatives - Equity index derivatives saw strong demand, with ADV across equity index products increasing 8% year-on-year to 7.4 million contracts, significantly influenced by micro contracts [4] - Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100 and Micro E-mini S&P 500 futures both posted record volumes, reflecting sustained retail and professional participation in smaller-sized contracts [4] Cryptocurrency Derivatives - Cryptocurrency derivatives experienced explosive growth, with CME reporting a 139% increase in crypto ADV in 2025 to a record 278,000 contracts, representing approximately $12 billion in notional value [5] - Micro Ether futures led the segment, followed by Micro Bitcoin futures, as traders favored capital-efficient instruments tied to digital assets [5] Fourth Quarter Performance in Crypto - The momentum in crypto trading continued into the fourth quarter, with crypto ADV reaching a quarterly record of 379,000 contracts, and December alone seeing 339,000 contracts traded, reflecting rising institutional engagement with regulated crypto markets [6] Global Participation - International trading activity reached new highs, with ADV outside the U.S. rising 8% to a record 8.4 million contracts, driven by strong participation from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa [7] - CME's markets benefited from global diversification of trading flows and increased cross-border demand for benchmark derivatives [7]