The CME Group, the world's leading derivatives marketplace, has announced plans to launch a new 100-ounce silver futures contract, with a tentative launch date of February 9, 2026, pending regulatory approval. This move is a strategic expansion of its precious metals offerings, specifically designed to lower the entry barrier for retail traders and smaller firms.
The new contract is financially settled and will be listed on COMEX, referencing the daily settlement price of the global benchmark Silver futures contract. This design simplifies participation by eliminating the operational complexities of physical delivery while ensuring price alignment with the broader market. The initiative follows a record year for CME's retail-focused metals products, including Micro Gold and Micro Silver futures, which saw average daily volumes of 301,000 and 48,000 contracts respectively in 2025.
Jin Hennig, Managing Director and Global Head of Metals at CME Group, stated, "Silver is increasingly appealing to retail traders looking to diversify their exposure... 100-Ounce Silver futures will improve access to a wider range of participants, enabling them to benefit from the liquidity and efficiencies that our futures markets provide." The contract aims to meet rising demand from individual traders seeking flexible, capital-efficient exposure to silver amid geopolitical uncertainty and its dual role as both an industrial metal and an inflation hedge.
The launch has garnered support from major retail trading platforms. Robinhood Markets and Plus500US have endorsed the product, highlighting its alignment with their mission to democratize finance and provide cost-effective access to commodities trading for active retail clients.
