- CME Group is set to offer 24/7 trading for crypto futures and options, including upcoming XRP and Solana products.
- The initiative aims to align traditional finance with the continuous nature of digital asset markets, signaling the integration of crypto into mainstream finance.
- CME’s crypto ventures began in 2017 with Bitcoin futures, expanding significantly over the years to include Ethereum and now new altcoin offerings.
CME Group, the world’s largest derivatives marketplace, prepares to offer round-the-clock trading for its crypto futures and options. The plan, officially revealed in a company blog post, marks a significant step in aligning traditional finance with the nonstop nature of digital asset markets. While Bitcoin and Ethereum products are already a cornerstone of CME’s crypto offerings, the company is set to expand by launching XRP and Solana futures and options on October 13, with full 24/7 trading slated for early 2026—pending regulatory approval. This development has the potential to reshape how institutional and retail investors interact with digital assets. By bridging the gap between conventional markets and crypto’s 24/7 ecosystem, CME Group is sending a strong signal: crypto is no longer a niche sector but a permanent fixture in mainstream finance.
CME Group’s Vision
For decades, CME Group has been a pillar of global finance, handling trillions of dollars’ worth of contracts across equities, commodities, currencies, and now digital assets. The company’s move into crypto began in 2017, when it launched its first Bitcoin futures contract—a decision that legitimized crypto in the eyes of many institutional investors. Since then, its crypto offerings have grown steadily, with Ethereum futures added in 2021 and now new products on the way. In its recent statement, Tim McCourt, CME’s global head of equities, FX, and alternative products, emphasized the growing demand for continuous risk management. According to McCourt, traders want tools that allow them to hedge positions seven days a week, just as they do in the decentralized crypto markets.
However, CME’s planned 24/7 operations won’t be entirely unrestricted. To maintain system reliability and compliance, there will still be a weekly two-hour maintenance window and temporary pauses on specific public holidays. This ensures the infrastructure remains stable while still delivering nearly seamless access to crypto derivatives trading.
Why 24/7 Trading Matters
Unlike stocks, commodities, and bonds—which operate within tightly regulated trading hours—cryptocurrencies never sleep. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and XRP trade across global exchanges nonstop, creating both opportunities and challenges for investors. Historically, this disconnect has led to phenomena like the “CME gap.” When Bitcoin CME futures paused for the weekend, the spot market often continued moving significantly, creating visible price gaps on charts once trading resumed. This has become a well-known pattern for traders, with many strategies built around these “weekend gaps.” By extending futures and options trading to a 24/7 cycle, CME Group is addressing this issue directly. Market participants will now have the tools to react in real time, reducing exposure to unexpected swings during off-hours and aligning institutional finance more closely with crypto’s open marketplace.
XRP and Solana Futures
Alongside the move to nonstop trading, CME is preparing to roll out XRP and Solana options on October 13. This addition is notable for several reasons:
- Growing Market Demand – Solana has rapidly become one of the top smart contract blockchains, while XRP remains a popular choice for cross-border payments despite ongoing regulatory battles.
- Diversification of Crypto Derivatives – Until now, CME’s crypto products have been dominated by Bitcoin and Ethereum. By introducing new assets, CME opens the door to traders seeking exposure beyond the two giants of the market.
- Validation of Altcoin Maturity – Listing Solana and XRP on CME suggests these tokens have achieved enough stability, liquidity, and institutional interest to merit derivative products.
A CME spokesperson confirmed to Decrypt that this move will apply across all crypto products currently listed, signaling an ambitious expansion strategy.
Record-Breaking Growth
The timing of this announcement is no coincidence. CME’s crypto business has experienced explosive growth in 2025, driven by the broader adoption of digital assets in traditional finance.
- Notional open interest—the total value of outstanding contracts—hit an all-time high of $39 billion in mid-September.
- In August 2025, CME reported 335,200 open contracts, nearly double the figure from the same month in 2024.
These figures underscore the growing role of regulated crypto derivatives as institutions seek risk management tools and exposure to volatile markets without directly holding tokens. Industry analysts believe this surge reflects not just speculative trading, but also hedging by companies, funds, and high-net-worth individuals exposed to crypto assets in other parts of their portfolios.
Closer Ties to U.S. Regulation and Policy
Another driving factor behind CME’s success is the increasingly favorable regulatory climate in the United States.
- The White House has signaled a more open approach to digital assets.
- Federal regulators, including the SEC and CFTC, are working more closely with industry leaders to establish clearer rules.
- CME’s robust market surveillance systems—designed to detect manipulation and illicit activity—have earned credibility with regulators.
In fact, many analysts credit CME’s compliance measures as one of the reasons the SEC approved spot Bitcoin ETFs in late 2024. The company’s monitoring practices provide a level of oversight often absent in offshore crypto exchanges.
Multi-Asset Crypto Marketplace
When CME first introduced Bitcoin futures in December 2017, it was seen as a groundbreaking moment. Bitcoin was still widely viewed as speculative, yet CME’s move validated its role in global finance. Fast-forward to 2025, and CME has expanded its reach not only through futures and options, but also by experimenting with prediction markets in partnership with FanDuel. The company has consistently shown a willingness to adapt its product lineup to emerging trends in finance. The introduction of XRP and Solana options further cements this reputation. By giving traders access to derivatives tied to leading altcoins, CME is both responding to demand and reinforcing the idea that crypto is here to stay.
A “New Era” for Crypto Markets
Reactions across the trading community have been swift. On X (formerly Twitter), a user known as Big Wick Nick captured the sentiment well, joking about the end of the famous “CME gaps” and declaring, “A new era begins.” For many traders, this change is about more than convenience—it represents the merging of two financial worlds. Retail crypto traders, long accustomed to around-the-clock action, will now see institutions gain equal footing, creating a more balanced and liquid marketplace.
CME Group’s decision to push for 24/7 trading of crypto futures and options represents one of the most ambitious moves by a traditional financial institution into the digital asset sector. By preparing to launch XRP and Solana products while expanding its schedule to match the nonstop rhythm of crypto markets, CME is positioning itself as the bridge between Wall Street and Web3. If successful, this shift could eliminate the long-standing disconnect between institutional trading and retail crypto markets, creating a more unified financial ecosystem. With record growth, supportive regulation, and an ever-expanding product lineup, CME is not just adapting to the rise of crypto—it is helping to define the future of global finance.
Disclaimer: CryptopianNews shares this for learning and info only. It’s not meant to be financial or investment advice. Crypto markets change a lot and move quickly. Investing in them can be risky. You should always look into things yourself. Talk to a trained financial advisor before making any choices about investing.
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