CME Group, one of the leading derivatives marketplaces globally, has announced its plan to introduce 24/7 trading for cryptocurrency futures and options starting in early 2026, subject to regulatory approval.
The announcement comes on the back of remarkable performance in CME’s crypto products during Q3 and September 2025. In Q3, CME posted a record crypto ADV of 340,000 contracts, representing approximately $14.1 billion in daily notional value.
This included record volumes in both Ether and Micro Ether futures, with 236,000 Ether futures and 209,000 Micro Ether futures traded daily. The strong performance reflected growing institutional adoption and increased demand for regulated exposure to digital assets.
September 2025 further highlighted this momentum. CME reported 309,000 crypto contracts traded daily, equating to $13.7 billion in notional value. Micro Ether futures surged 472% year-over-year to 182,000 contracts, while Micro Bitcoin futures rose 50% to 62,000 contracts, underscoring the demand for flexible and scalable instruments catering to both institutional and professional traders.
The robust growth of CME’s crypto business also aligns with the broader market shift towards digital assets as a mainstream component of institutional portfolios. CME’s expanding suite of products has consistently broken records, supported by its reputation as a regulated and trusted trading venue.
The increased participation is also evidenced by record levels of open interest and collateral balances across products, further reinforcing the credibility of the marketplace.
It is worth noting that the surge in activity, led by a 230% increase in average daily crypto volume to 411,000 contracts, equivalent to nearly $14.9 billion in daily notional value, signals a profound shift in how institutions approach crypto derivatives.
With the upcoming launch of 24/7 trading, CME Group is positioning itself to meet the demands of a market that never sleeps. The move represents a significant milestone in bridging traditional finance with digital assets, ensuring market participants can access liquidity, hedge risk, and trade seamlessly across global time zones.