An international derivatives marketplace has announced plans to offer cryptocurrency futures and options for 24/7 trading, set to begin in early 2026, contingent on regulatory approval. The decision reflects a growing demand from clients for continuous trading to better manage risks associated with digital assets.
Tim McCourt, the Global Head of Equities, FX, and Alternative Products at the firm, highlighted that while not every market is suitable for round-the-clock operations, the increasing interest in cryptocurrency trading necessitates a shift to an always-available trading environment. This development aims to allow clients to trade with confidence at any hour.
Starting in early 2026, trading of cryptocurrency futures and options will take place continuously on the CME Globex platform, with a scheduled two-hour maintenance period each weekend. Any trades executed during the holidays or weekends will be recorded with a trade date of the following business day, and all related clearing, settlement, and regulatory reporting will follow suit.
In 2025, cryptocurrency futures and options have seen unprecedented volumes at the marketplace. Noteworthy achievements include a record open interest of $39 billion observed on September 18 and an impressive average daily open interest of 335,200 contracts in August, reflecting a significant 95% year-over-year growth and a corresponding notional value of approximately $31.6 billion. Additionally, August recorded an average daily volume of 411,000 contracts—up 230% from the previous year, equating to a remarkable notional value of $14.9 billion. Furthermore, the week of September 25 saw over 1,010 large open interest holders across various cryptocurrency products.
Overall, this expansion into continuous trading of cryptocurrency options and futures signals a response to the increasing interest in digital currencies, and a commitment to providing clients with the tools necessary to navigate this evolving market efficiently and securely.