CME Group launched continuous trading for XRP, Bitcoin (BTC), and Ethereum (ETH) futures and options starting Friday, May 29 at 4:00 p.m. CT, alongside expanded coverage of Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA), Chainlink (LINK), Stellar (XLM), Avalanche (AVAX), and Sui (SUI). The launch addresses institutional demand for around-the-clock access to regulated crypto derivatives, aligning traditional market infrastructure with the nonstop nature of digital asset trading. CME crypto derivatives on CME Globex will trade continuously with only a short weekly maintenance pause of at least two hours over the weekend. The move reflects regulated finance adapting to crypto markets that operate 24/7, enabling institutions to hedge and deploy capital in real time without waiting for market reopenings.
CME Launches Continuous Trading Starting Friday, May 29 at 4:00 p.m. CT
Starting Friday, May 29 at 4:00 p.m. CT, CME crypto derivatives on CME Globex will trade around the clock. The exchange will maintain only a short weekly maintenance pause of at least two hours over the weekend. Trades executed during weekends and holidays will be booked to the next business day for clearing, settlement, and reporting.
The continuous trading structure covers XRP, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, Chainlink, Stellar, Avalanche, and Sui futures and options. The rollout narrows the gap between traditional Wall Street trading hours and global blockchain market activity.
CME Crypto Derivatives Reached $3 Trillion Notional Volume in 2025
Tim McCourt, CME Group Global Head of Equities, FX and Alternative Products, stated that client demand for crypto risk management has reached record levels, driving roughly $3 trillion in notional cryptocurrency futures and options volume in 2025. He emphasized that clients increasingly expect always-on access to regulated products that reflect the nonstop nature of crypto.
CME Group operates as a regulated hub for crypto derivatives. The continuous trading structure strengthens its role as a bridge between traditional finance and digital asset markets.
XRP Futures Volume Reached $62.87 Billion Over Past Year
XRP futures activity showed strong momentum, with notional volume reaching $62.87 billion over the past year. The inclusion of major altcoins such as ETH, XRP, ADA, LINK, AVAX, XLM, and SUI reflects widening institutional focus beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.
The expansion covers sectors tied to payments, interoperability, decentralized finance, and scalable smart contract ecosystems. Weekend gaps can now be hedged instantly under the continuous trading model.
FAQ
What time does CME's 24/7 crypto futures trading start?
CME's continuous crypto futures and options trading starts Friday, May 29 at 4:00 p.m. CT. Trading will continue around the clock with only a short weekly maintenance pause of at least two hours over the weekend.
How much notional volume did CME crypto derivatives reach in 2025?
CME Group's cryptocurrency futures and options reached roughly $3 trillion in notional volume in 2025, according to Tim McCourt, CME Group Global Head of Equities, FX and Alternative Products.
What cryptocurrencies does CME's continuous trading cover?
CME's 24/7 trading covers XRP, Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA), Chainlink (LINK), Stellar (XLM), Avalanche (AVAX), and Sui (SUI) futures and options.
