CME Group recorded its highest-ever January average daily volume, with 29.6 million contracts traded per day, the company announced on 3 February.
The figure represents a 15% increase over the previous January record of 25.7 million contracts set in 2025. The surge was driven by growth in metals trading, alongside gains in interest rates, energy and cryptocurrency products.
Metals Lead the Surge
Metals trading posted the largest increase, with average daily volume rising 218% compared to January 2025. Micro Gold futures jumped 472% to 693,000 contracts daily, while Micro Silver and Micro Copper both achieved record volumes at 438,000 and 48,000 contracts respectively.
The 1-Ounce Gold futures contract also hit a record ADV of 115,000 contracts.
Interest rate products averaged 13.9 million contracts daily, an 18% year-over-year increase. Within this segment, 30 Day Fed Funds futures rose 59% to 504,000 contracts, while SOFR futures and options grew 21% to 5.6 million contracts.
U.S. Treasury futures and options reached 7.7 million contracts daily, up 15%.
The energy segment achieved its highest-ever January ADV at 3.6 million contracts, an 11% increase. Henry Hub Natural Gas futures and options both set records at 851,000 and 403,000 contracts respectively.
Cryptocurrency trading volume more than doubled, rising 106% year-over-year to 408,000 contracts with a notional value of $10.8 billion daily. Micro Ether and standard Ether futures increased 69% and 67% respectively.
International Expansion
International trading activity grew 19% to 9.2 million contracts daily. The Asia-Pacific region saw the strongest growth at 25%, reaching 2.2 million contracts, while Europe, Middle East and Africa volumes increased 18% to 6.7 million contracts.
Micro E-mini equity index contracts now represent nearly 44% of all equity index volume.
