CME Group to launch 24/7 crypto futures and options trading on May 29

CME Group will begin offering round-the-clock cryptocurrency futures and options trading for digital assets like BTC and ETH starting May 29, expanding access to its regulated digital asset derivatives as institutional demand accelerates.

Announced on Thursday, the update formalizes plans CME previously outlined to make its crypto futures “always on” in 2026, pending regulatory review.

Unlike traditional asset classes that close overnight or on weekends, digital assets trade continuously on spot exchanges, creating timing gaps for hedging and risk management in regulated markets.

CME, the world’s largest derivatives marketplace, first launched bitcoin futures in 2017 and later expanded into ether futures and options, positioning itself as a regulated venue for institutional crypto exposure.

The exchange has steadily broadened its lineup, recently adding products tied to Cardano, Chainlink, and Stellar as part of a wider digital asset push.

Tim McCourt, CME’s global head of equities, FX, and alternative products, said client demand for crypto risk management has reached "an all-time high," with a record $3 trillion in notional volume traded across its cryptocurrency futures and options in 2025. "While not all markets lend themselves to operating 24/7, providing always-on access to our regulated, transparent cryptocurrency products ensures clients can manage their exposure and trade with confidence at any time," McCourt said in a statement.

Year to date, CME reported average daily crypto volume of 407,200 contracts, up 46% from a year earlier, and average daily open interest of 335,400 contracts, up 7%. Futures volume alone has averaged 403,900 contracts per day, a 47% increase year-over-year, according to the firm.

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Exchanges are racing to meet growing institutional appetite for crypto-linked products. Firms like Coinbase and Kraken spent billions of dollars acquiring derivatives service providers to bolster their own product suite.

As Wall Street and crypto incumbents compete for market share, CME has also moved deeper into adjacent markets, including a partnership with FanDuel to launch a U.S. prediction markets platform.