CME Group launched 24/7 trading for cryptocurrency futures and options on Friday, with more than 7,200 contracts worth about $50 million in notional value trading over the inaugural weekend, the exchange said on Monday.
The move gives institutional and retail participants access to regulated crypto derivatives during weekend hours, when spot markets continue trading but traditional futures venues have historically been closed. All cryptocurrency futures and options except Spot-Quoted futures are now available on CME Globex and ClearPort around the clock, CME Group’s FAQ page shows.
“By offering continuous liquidity over the weekend, we are meeting client demand and bridging the gap between traditional regulated venues and the 24/7 nature of crypto assets,” said Tim McCourt, Global Head of Equities, FX and Alternative Products at CME Group.
Weekend trades from Friday evening through Sunday evening carry the following business day’s trade date, with clearing, settlement and regulatory reporting processed on that day. A Saturday maintenance window from 2:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. CT is the sole scheduled interruption.
CME Group also extended 24/7 access to its Bitcoin Volatility futures, a cash-settled contract tied to 30-day implied bitcoin volatility.
The exchange first listed Bitcoin futures in 2017.
