As the cryptocurrency market continues to expand in size, the world’s largest derivatives exchange, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), has officially announced that after regulatory review, it will launch 24/7 digital asset futures and options trading starting May 29, 2026, to address the time gap in regulated crypto markets for hedging and risk management.
(CME announces launch of 24-hour around-the-clock crypto options services)
From Bitcoin BTC futures to diversified altcoin layouts
As an important regulated venue for crypto hedging, CME led the market as early as 2017 by launching Bitcoin futures, followed by a gradual expansion to Ethereum futures and options. To meet the market’s diverse trading appetite, CME has recently been actively expanding its digital asset lineup, extending its reach to products linked to Cardano, Chainlink, and Stellar.
(CME CEO hints at launching their own token during earnings call)
Cryptocurrency nominal trading volume surpasses 3 trillion USD in 2025
Tim McCourt, Global Head of Equity, FX, and Alternative Investment Products at CME, emphasized that the market’s demand for crypto risk management has reached an all-time high. Data shows that in 2025, the nominal trading volume of crypto futures and options hit a record of 3 trillion USD. McCourt stated in a release, “While not all markets are suitable for 24/7 operation, providing regulated and transparent crypto products with 24/7 access ensures clients can manage risk exposure at any time and trade with confidence.”
Cryptocurrency open interest increases by 7% annually
Market momentum is also directly reflected in trading data. According to CME’s latest report, the average daily trading volume of cryptocurrencies this year has reached 407,200 contracts, a significant increase of 46% compared to the same period last year; the average daily open interest also reached 335,400 contracts, up 7% year-over-year. Looking solely at futures, the average daily volume has reached 403,900 contracts, with a year-over-year growth rate of 47%, indicating that overall market liquidity is rapidly growing.
In addition to crypto derivatives, CME has recently entered the prediction market space, partnering with FanDuel to launch a U.S. prediction market platform, further expanding its influence in the financial derivatives sector.
(CME teams up with FanDuel to launch prediction market app, making trading more lifestyle-oriented)
This article on the surge in risk management demand and CME’s plan to launch 24/7 crypto futures and options trading first appeared on Chain News ABMedia.
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