CME Group, a prominent exchange between institutions, on Thursday announced plans to offer trade around the clock for its cryptocurrency futures and options markets, a shift that would bring one of the largest regulated derivatives venues closer to the line with Krypto’s markets.
The service could start at the beginning of 2026 pending regulatory approval, the company said.
“Client demand for cryptocurrency trading around the clock has grown, as market participants have to control their risk every day of the week,” Tim McCourt, CME’s global manager of shares, and alternative products, said in a statement. “To ensure that our regulated cryptocurrency markets are always on, it allows clients to trade with confidence at all times.”
Currently, trade in CMES crypto products on weekends and out of opening hours. Under the new model, dealers will be able to access products such as Bitcoin and ether Futures and options through CME Globex at any time and day with the exception of a short weekly maintenance window. Holiday and weekend dealer will still settle on the next working day and maintain consistency in reporting and clearing operations.
The move can appeal to institutions that want the stability of a regulated exchange without the limitations of traditional trading times. If approved, CME’s access around the clock can give it an edge over offshore platforms that already offer around the clock but operate with less regulatory supervision.
CME Group’s trading venue is an important marketplace for US institutional investors to trade cryptoderivatives. It is the world’s leading exchange for BTC and ETH Futures after open interest rates, with $ 16.8 billion and $ 9.8 billion respectively in the nominal value of contracts, coinglass data shows.
