This story was originally published on CFO Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CFO Dive newsletter. CME Group CFO and President Lynne Fitzpatrick is focusing on key partnerships that can help the global derivatives marketplace continue to grow, she said. The Chicago-based global derivatives market has reported record net income for the past three consecutive years, noting $3.5 billion in net income for full-year 2024 — which followed net income of $3.2 billion in 2023 an ...

Financial Performance - CME Group reported revenue of $1.5 billion for Q3 2025, with operating income of $973 million and net income of $908 million, translating to diluted earnings per share of $2.49 [2][10] - On an adjusted basis, net income was $1.0 billion, and diluted earnings per share were $2.68, maintaining strong performance compared to last year's Q3 [2][12] - Clearing and transaction fees revenue reached $1.2 billion, with a total average rate per contract of $0.702, while market data revenue set a record at $203 million [3][10] Market Trends and Client Engagement - Global clients continued to rely on CME Group markets across all asset classes amid ongoing uncertainty, achieving the second-highest third-quarter average daily volume (ADV) [3] - The company is focused on delivering efficiencies, new products, and expanded access for market users, including a partnership with FanDuel and 24/7 trading in cryptocurrency futures and options [3] Shareholder Returns and Financial Position - As of September 30, 2025, CME Group had $2.6 billion in cash and $3.4 billion in debt, having paid approximately $3.5 billion in dividends during the first nine months of the year [4] - Since implementing a variable dividend policy in early 2012, the company has returned over $29.5 billion to shareholders in the form of dividends [4] Quarterly Operating Statistics - The average daily volume for Q3 2025 was 25,322 contracts, with notable declines in interest rates and equity indexes compared to previous quarters [14][15] - The average rate per contract across various product lines showed slight variations, with the overall average at $0.702 for Q3 2025 [15]

Group 1 - Kraken has acquired futures exchange Small Exchange from IG Group for $100 million, enabling the launch of a fully U.S.-based derivatives suite [1][2] - Small Exchange is a CFTC-licensed designated contract market, allowing Kraken to offer regulated futures and options to retail and institutional clients [2] - The acquisition reflects the maturation of the cryptocurrency sector as traditional financial firms increasingly engage with digital assets through regulated products [1][3] Group 2 - The derivatives market is attracting digital asset firms seeking liquidity and risk management, with analysts predicting accelerated adoption as more institutional players enter the space [3][4] - Kraken's acquisition is seen as a strategic move to establish institutional-grade markets as the crypto industry matures [4] - The regulatory environment in the U.S. is becoming more favorable for digital asset firms, encouraging expansion and clearer rules [5]

Driven by Heightened Activity in Gold and Silver , /PRNewswire/ -- CME Group, the world's leading derivatives marketplace, today announced that volume in its metals complex reached a record 2,148,990 contracts on Thursday, October 9, 2025, 24% higher than the previous record of 1,728,362 contracts traded on April 12, 2024. "As geopolitical and macroeconomic shifts drive uncertainty, clients from around the world are turning to our metals futures and options in record numbers," said Jin Hennig, Managing Dire ...

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]

Core Insights - CME Group will offer 24/7 trading for its cryptocurrency futures and options starting in early 2026, pending regulatory review [1][2] - The decision is driven by increasing client demand for continuous trading to manage risk effectively [2] - CME Group's cryptocurrency products have seen record trading volumes in 2025, indicating strong market interest [3][5] Trading Details - The continuous trading will occur on the CME Globex platform, with a two-hour maintenance period each week [2] - All trades executed during holidays or weekends will be dated for the next business day, with clearing and settlement processed accordingly [2] Market Performance - CME Group reported a record notional open interest of $39 billion on September 18, 2025 [5] - August 2025 saw an average daily open interest of 335,200 contracts, a 95% increase year-on-year, representing an average notional value of $31.6 billion [5] - The average daily volume (ADV) for August reached 411,000 contracts, up 230% year-on-year, equating to a notional value of $14.9 billion [5] - There were over 1,010 large open interest holders in cryptocurrency products during the week of September 25, 2025 [5]

Core Viewpoint - The CFTC is considering allowing stablecoins like USDT and USDC to be used as collateral in the U.S. derivatives market, marking a significant shift in regulatory policy [1][7]. Group 1: Regulatory Changes - Acting Chair Caroline D. Pham described the proposal as a "measured step" to align the CFTC's regulatory framework with modern finance [2]. - If approved, stablecoins would be accepted alongside cash and U.S. Treasurys as margin, potentially reshaping a market valued in the quadrillions [2][5]. Group 2: Background and Development - The initiative to recognize stablecoins as collateral originated from the February 2025 Crypto CEO Forum, aimed at enhancing liquidity and modernizing risk management [3]. - The proposal builds on findings from the President's Working Group on Digital Assets and recommendations from the CFTC's Global Markets Advisory Committee [3]. Group 3: Implementation and Feedback - The plan includes a pilot "sandbox" program to test tokenized non-cash assets, reflecting the CFTC's history of controlled innovation [4]. - Public comments are open until October 20, focusing on valuation standards, custody, settlement mechanics, and necessary rule amendments [4]. Group 4: Market Impact - The recent legislative changes, including the passage of the GENIUS Act, indicate a shift in Washington's approach to crypto, moving from viewing digital assets as speculative to establishing a regulatory framework [5]. - Allowing stablecoins in derivatives markets could significantly enhance their utility beyond exchanges and payments [5]. - Traders would benefit from the ability to post collateral in USDC or USDT instantly, reducing the need for fiat conversion and lowering barriers for institutional and retail investors [6]. - Analysts suggest this shift could unlock trillions in dormant crypto capital into the broader financial system [6].

Financial Performance - Leonteq's first-half profit missed estimates [1] Strategic Initiatives - Leonteq plans to return excess capital to shareholders by 2027 as part of a strategic revamp [1]

Core Insights - CME Group is set to launch CME FX Tape+ to enhance price discovery and transparency in the FX market [1][4] - The service will utilize data from over 1,400 institutions and 100,000 active participants, focusing on transparent central limit order book venues [2][8] - FX Tape+ will cover 10 major currencies and provide real-time updates every 250 milliseconds through a WebSocket API [3][4] Company Developments - The initiative positions CME as a trusted financial infrastructure provider and aims to unlock new revenue streams through high-quality market data [4] - CME's shares have gained 19.2% year-to-date, outperforming the industry average of 13.4% [5] Market Context - The launch of FX Tape+ aligns with increasing regulatory demands for transparency in the FX market [4][8] - The service is expected to drive growth in trading volume and encourage wider market participation [4]

Core Insights - CME Group plans to launch FTSE CoreCommodity CRB futures, pending regulatory review, which will provide broad exposure to the global commodities market by tracking a basket of 19 commodities [1] - The new contracts aim to help clients manage commodity index price risk and have seen a significant increase in open interest, growing 315% from 76,000 contracts in 2020 to 316,000 contracts year-to-date [2] - The collaboration with FTSE Russell reflects a commitment to meet evolving market needs by providing enhanced tools for price discovery and capital efficiency [2] Company Overview - CME Group is the world's leading derivatives marketplace, enabling clients to trade various financial instruments and manage risk effectively [3] - The company offers a wide range of global benchmark products across major asset classes, including interest rates, equity indexes, foreign exchange, energy, agricultural products, and metals [3] - CME Group operates multiple trading platforms, including CME Globex for futures and options, BrokerTec for fixed income, and EBS for foreign exchange [3]