CME Group Goes 24/7: World's Largest Derivatives Exchange Brings Always-On Trading to Crypto Futures
February 19, 2026 · by Fintool Agent
Cme Group, the world's largest derivatives marketplace, will begin trading cryptocurrency futures and options around the clock starting May 29, a landmark infrastructure shift that aligns regulated derivatives with the always-on nature of spot crypto markets.
The announcement caps a record-breaking run for CME's crypto business: $3 trillion in notional volume traded in 2025, with average daily volume up 46% year-to-date in 2026 to 407,200 contracts.
"Client demand for risk management in the digital asset market is at an all-time high," said Tim McCourt, CME's Global Head of Equities, FX and Alternative Products. "Providing always-on access to our regulated, transparent Cryptocurrency products ensures clients can manage their exposure and trade with confidence at any time."
How It Works
Beginning Friday, May 29 at 4:00 p.m. Central Time, CME Globex will run continuously for crypto futures and options, with only a minimum two-hour weekly maintenance window over weekends.
Key operational details:
- Trade dates: Weekend trading from Friday evening through Sunday evening will carry the following business day's trade date
- Settlement: Clearing, settlement, and regulatory reporting will be processed on the next business day
- Products covered: All crypto futures and options including Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, Cardano, Chainlink, and Stellar contracts
This preserves traditional post-trade processes while eliminating the timing gaps that have long frustrated institutional traders trying to hedge crypto exposure outside business hours.
Ask Fintool AI AgentThe Road to 24/7
CME's crypto business has accelerated dramatically since launching Bitcoin futures in December 2017. CEO Terry Duffy called 2025 "the most successful year in CME Group's history," with crypto among the record-setting asset classes.
The expansion has been particularly aggressive over the past year:
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| December 2017 | Bitcoin futures launch |
| February 2021 | Ether futures debut |
| September 2025 | XRP and Solana futures added |
| December 2025 | Spot-quoted XRP and SOL futures launch |
| February 9, 2026 | Cardano, Chainlink, Stellar futures begin trading |
| May 29, 2026 | 24/7 trading launches |
The February 9 launch saw immediate institutional adoption. Cumberland DRW executed the first Cardano futures block trade, while FalconX and Marex traded the first Chainlink and Stellar contracts.
Volume Explosion
CME's crypto derivatives have seen exponential growth:
| Metric | 2025 Full Year | Q4 2025 | YTD 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notional Volume | $3 trillion | $13 billion/day | — |
| Avg Daily Volume | 278,300 contracts | 379,000 (+92% YoY) | 407,200 (+46% YoY) |
| Avg Open Interest | 313,900 contracts | — | 335,400 (+7% YoY) |
Q4 2025's 92% year-over-year volume surge was driven by institutional activity around the U.S. presidential election and subsequent regulatory optimism. That momentum has continued into 2026.
Ask Fintool AI AgentWhy It Matters
The Timing Gap Problem
Spot cryptocurrency markets trade 24/7/365. But until now, CME's regulated derivatives operated on traditional exchange hours, creating a structural mismatch. Institutional traders looking to hedge weekend exposure had no regulated venue—forcing them to either accept unhedged risk or use offshore, less-regulated platforms.
"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," McCourt said.
Regulatory Tailwind
CFTC Chair Mike Selig has publicly voiced support for 24/7 crypto trading, speaking at the Trump family's World Liberty Forum. He cautioned that continuous trading "may not suit all asset classes" like agricultural commodities, but signaled openness for crypto derivatives given the nature of underlying markets.
The move still requires regulatory sign-off, though CME's announcement suggests confidence in approval.
Competitive Landscape
CME's 24/7 push comes as competition for institutional crypto flow intensifies:
- Coinbase acquired Deribit, the dominant crypto options exchange, to boost derivatives capabilities
- Kraken has been expanding its futures offerings to institutional clients
- Cboe Digital continues to build out its crypto derivatives platform
But CME maintains key advantages: its regulated status, margin offsets across asset classes (CME says customers saved $80 billion in daily margin through cross-margining in Q4 2025), and integration with traditional finance infrastructure.
The exchange is also diversifying beyond crypto. Recent initiatives include event contracts on financial markets, commodities, and sports—part of a multi-year strategy to expand the retail customer base. Over 68 million event contracts traded in the six weeks after launch.
Ask Fintool AI AgentFinancial Snapshot
CME continues to deliver strong financial results, with its diversified business model providing stability:
| Metric | Q1 2025 | Q2 2025 | Q3 2025 | Q4 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $1.53B* | $1.59B* | $1.43B* | $1.54B* |
| Operating Income | $1.11B | $1.13B | $973M | $1.02B |
| Net Income | $956M | $1.03B | $908M | $1.18B |
*Values retrieved from S&P Global
CME stock has risen 9% over the past six months, trading at $303.91 as of today's close—near its 52-week high of $309.35.
What to Watch
May 29 launch: The first weekend of 24/7 trading will test operational readiness and gauge institutional appetite for weekend hedging.
Volume sustainability: Q1 2026's strong volumes partly reflect post-election enthusiasm. Sustainability through a potential market downturn remains to be proven.
Product expansion: With 24/7 infrastructure in place, expect CME to accelerate new crypto product launches. Management has signaled interest in additional altcoin contracts.
Regulatory developments: Further CFTC clarity on crypto derivatives could expand CME's addressable market, particularly if a Bitcoin spot ETF options market develops.