The Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group announced Thursday it will launch continuous cryptocurrency trading services starting early 2026, pending regulatory approval. The expansion marks a significant shift for the world's largest derivatives marketplace, which currently pauses trading on weekends and holidays.
Tim McCourt, CME Group's global head of equities, FX, and alternative products, stated that client demand for constant market access has grown as participants need to manage risk throughout the week. The around-the-clock service will apply to all listed crypto products, including Bitcoin and Ethereum futures and options.
Solana and XRP options are scheduled to debut on Oct. 13, expanding CME's cryptocurrency offerings. A spokesperson confirmed the 24/7 trading model will cover every crypto product the exchange lists once implemented.
The continuous trading setup will include a two-hour weekly maintenance period and holiday considerations. This structure differs slightly from native crypto markets that operate without interruption.
CME's crypto contracts have achieved record volumes this year as digital assets integrate deeper into traditional finance. Notional open interest reached $39 billion in mid‑September, while August saw 335,200 outstanding contracts, representing a 95 % year‑over‑year increase.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission must review the proposal before implementation can proceed. However, the CFTC is operating with reduced capacity due to the ongoing U.S. government shutdown after Congress failed to pass a budget bill.
CME Group CEO Terrence Duffy said at a recent SEC and CFTC roundtable that markets will soon demand 24/7 trading, with crypto serving as the optimal path forward. The exchange first introduced Bitcoin futures in 2017 and has steadily expanded its digital asset offerings.
Global crypto derivatives open interest totaled approximately $3.2 billion at publication time. CME's surveillance team monitors trading activity to prevent market manipulation, a factor that proved crucial in securing SEC approval for spot Bitcoin exchange‑traded funds last year.