The CME Group has announced plans to offer round-the-clock trading for its cryptocurrency futures and options, pending regulatory approval, starting in early 2026. This initiative responds to growing demand from market participants for continuous access to crypto markets, particularly for risk management. Tim McCourt, Global Head of Equities, FX, and Alternative Products at CME Group, emphasized, "Client demand for around-the-clock cryptocurrency trading has grown," and added, "Market participants need to manage their risk every day of the week." The move aims to provide flexibility and confidence for traders in the fast-paced digital asset space.
Trading will occur continuously on CME Globex, with a weekly maintenance period of at least two hours over weekends. All weekend and holiday trading will have a trade date of the following business day, with clearing and settlement processed accordingly. This change is expected to eliminate "CME gaps," where dislocations between futures and spot markets occur due to limited trading hours. CME Group has seen robust growth in crypto futures, with a notional open interest of $39 billion recorded on September 18, 2025, and average daily open interest reaching 335,200 contracts in August, a 95% year-over-year increase. The exchange has expanded its offerings to include futures for Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and XRP, reflecting institutional adoption trends.