CME Group will offer 24/7 trading for cryptocurrency futures and options beginning May 29.
The change removes weekend and overnight hedging gaps that have long separated regulated derivatives from continuously traded spot markets.
The Chicago-based exchange said the rollout covers bitcoin and ether contracts, with expansion across its broader digital asset suite.
The update formalizes prior plans to make crypto futures “always on” in 2026, pending regulatory review.
CME first listed bitcoin futures in 2017 and later added ether futures and options.
It has since expanded into contracts tied to Cardano, Chainlink, and Stellar as institutional participation in regulated crypto products accelerated.
Will 24/7 Trading Reshape Institutional Crypto Hedging?
Digital assets trade around the clock on spot venues, but traditional derivatives markets historically closed overnight and on weekends.
That structural mismatch created basis risk for asset managers and trading desks seeking continuous exposure management.
Client activity has climbed sharply this year.
CME reported a record $3 trillion in notional crypto futures and options volume in 2025, with average daily volume of 407,200 contracts, up 46% year over year, and open interest rising 7% to 335,400 contracts.
“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,” said Tim McCourt, Global Head of Equities, FX, and Alternative Products at CME Group.
CME Group
Futures volume alone averaged 403,900 contracts per day, a 47% annual increase, according to the exchange.
The move comes as exchanges compete for derivatives market share, with firms such as Coinbase and Kraken acquiring service providers to expand their offerings.
How liquidity consolidates across regulated and offshore venues after May 29 will signal whether institutional flows continue migrating toward exchange-traded crypto risk management products.
