Ahead of Election Night, the number of large reportable CME bitcoin futures traders hit an all-time high

As voters across the U.S. cast their ballots for their future president, CME Group's bitcoin futures market revved up, according to data shared with The Block. 

The market, which launched in 2017, saw overnight trading in the contract hit 6,700 (the equivalent of 33,500 bitcoin in value) — 75% higher relative to the average figure for the year. 

Ahead of the election, the number of large reportable open interest holders — institutional investors who hold an open position of at least five contracts — increased to 102, a 20% increase over October.

As noted by my colleague Ryan Todd, the number of large open interest holders in CME's bitcoin futures is impressive relative to other products.

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Here's Todd in a past column explaining the significance of CME's having what was then 74 large open interest holders for its bitcoin futures:

"How big is a product that has 74 total reportable traders? Well, looking at last week's CFTC COT report, 74 total traders for CME bitcoin futures contract means the product had more large reportable traders with open positions than equivalent traders holding CME 3-month SOFR (secured overnight financing rate), CME Brazilian Real contracts, CME Swiss Fran contracts, and CME E-mini S&P400 contracts, just to name a few. Without even looking at open interest and trading, count that as a success in its own right."
 

© 2023 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

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Frank Chaparro is Host of The Scoop podcast and Director of Special Projects. He also writes a biweekly newsletter. Chaparro started his career at Business Insider, where he specialized in the intersection of digital assets and Wall Street, market structure, and financial technology. Soon after joining Business Insider out of Fordham University, Chaparro was interviewing top finance and tech executives, including billionaire Mark Cuban, “Flash Boys” star Brad Katsuyama, Cboe Global Markets CEO Ed Tilly, and New York Stock Exchange President Tom Farley. In 2018, he become a sought after reporter in the crypto world, interviewing luminaries such as Tyler Winklevoss, the cofounder of Gemini, Jeremy Allaire, the CEO of Circle, and Fundstrat head Tom Lee. For inquiries or tips, email [email protected].