CME Group Launches AVAX and SUI Futures, Officially Begins Trading on May 4

Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group (CME Group) announced plans to launch Avalanche (AVAX) and Sui (SUI) futures on May 4, and is currently awaiting review by regulatory authorities. The new product rollout continues CME Group’s recent expansion pace with the sequential introduction of Cardano, Chainlink, and Stellar futures; each underlying asset offers two contract specifications: standard contracts and micro contracts.

Contract Specifications: A Two-Tier Design That Caters to Both Large and Small-to-Midsize Investors

The newly launched AVAX and SUI futures both come in two specifications—standard contracts and micro contracts—providing flexible entry options for market participants across different capital levels:

At-a-Glance Contract Specifications for AVAX and SUI Futures

Standard AVAX Futures: 5,000 AVAX per contract

Micro AVAX Futures: 500 AVAX per contract

Standard SUI Futures: 50,000 SUI per contract

Micro SUI Futures: 5,000 SUI per contract

This two-tier contract structure allows small-to-midsize investors to enter the market with a lower capital threshold, while also trading in the same regulated trading environment as standard contracts—balancing market coverage and regulatory completeness.

CME Group’s Ongoing Expansion Strategy for Crypto Derivatives

Giovanni Vicioso, Global Head of Crypto Products at CME Group, said: “The newly launched micro and large-cap Avalanche and Sui futures will give clients more choices, greater flexibility, and improved capital efficiency—helping them execute more efficient trading in a crypto derivatives market with strong liquidity and robust regulation.” He also noted that daily average notional trading volume is approaching $300 million and that it continues to grow strongly.

AVAX and SUI will become the latest mainstream crypto assets to join CME Group’s regulated futures product lineup after Cardano, Chainlink, and Stellar, indicating that CME Group intends to systematically cover major crypto assets rather than taking a selective approach to individual coins.

Justin Young, CEO of Volatility Shares, said: “CME Group’s continued expansion of its crypto derivatives product line reflects the market’s rising demand for regulated, institutional-grade, resilient products.” Isaac Cahana, CEO of Plus500US, also noted: “These new contracts further broaden investment channels for global clients, enabling them to participate in an ever-changing market with greater flexibility and higher capital efficiency.”

Crypto Trading 24/7: CME Group Launches a New System on May 29

In addition to the launch of new products, CME Group also announced that starting May 29, all of its crypto currency futures and options will officially offer trading services every week, 7 days a week and 24 hours a day—matching the around-the-clock operating characteristics of global crypto spot markets.

This system change has direct significance for risk management capabilities among institutional investors—the crypto market’s major volatility often occurs during Asian or European trading sessions, when traditional regulated markets cannot hedge in real time. The introduction of a 24×7 trading system will fill this gap, allowing institutions to adjust their crypto derivatives positions during any market time period.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will CME Group’s AVAX and SUI futures be officially launched?

CME Group plans to officially launch Avalanche (AVAX) and Sui (SUI) futures on May 4, 2026. It is still awaiting the final review by regulatory authorities; the final launch timing will be subject to regulatory approval results.

What are the contract specifications for micro AVAX and SUI futures?

Micro AVAX futures have 500 AVAX per contract, and micro SUI futures have 5,000 SUI per contract. The standard contracts are 5,000 AVAX and 50,000 SUI per contract, respectively. The two-tier design suits market participants with different capital sizes.

Will CME Group’s crypto futures soon offer all-day trading?

Yes. CME Group announced that starting May 29, 2026, its crypto currency futures and options will provide trading services 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, enabling institutional investors to manage risk exposures related to crypto assets in any time period.