The world’s largest derivatives market introduces continuous trading for cryptocurrency futures and options.
CME Group will begin offering 24/7 trading for its regulated cryptocurrency futures and options starting May 29, pending regulatory approval. The world’s largest derivatives market announced that continuous trading will launch Friday, May 29 at 4:00 PM Central Time on the CME Globex platform.
The move is designed to give clients continuous access to hedging and trading tools tied to bitcoin and other digital assets, aligning futures markets with the uninterrupted nature of cryptocurrency spot trading. “Client demand for risk management in the digital asset market is at all-time highs, driving a record notional volume of $3 trillion across our cryptocurrency futures and options in 2025,” Tim McCourt, CME Group’s global head of equity, FX and alternative investment products, said. The change comes as CME’s cryptocurrency complex continues to register record activity, with an average daily volume of 407,200 contracts in 2026, representing a 46% increase compared to the same period last year.
Average daily open interest reached 335,400 contracts, up 7% year-over-year. Futures have driven much of the growth, with CME reporting an average daily futures volume of 403,900 contracts since the beginning of the year, up 47% from last year’s levels. Under the new schedule, CME cryptocurrency futures and options will trade continuously with at least one two-hour weekly maintenance period during the weekend. The May 29 launch date remains subject to regulatory review.
