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CME Group, a prominent exchange among institutions, announced plans on Thursday to offer around-the-clock trading for its cryptocurrency futures and options markets, a shift that would bring one of the largest regulated derivatives venues closer in line with the nonstop nature of crypto markets.
The service could start in early 2026 pending regulatory approval, the firm said.
"Client demand for around-the-clock cryptocurrency trading has grown as market participants need to manage their risk every day of the week," Tim McCourt, CME’s global head of equities, FX and alternative products, said in a statement. "Ensuring that our regulated cryptocurrency markets are always on will enable clients to trade with confidence at any time."
Currently, trading in CME’s crypto products pauses on weekends and outside business hours. Under the new model, traders will be able to access products such as bitcoin (BTC) and ether (ETH) futures and options through CME Globex at any time and day, with the exception of a short weekly maintenance window. Holiday and weekend trades will still settle on the next business day, maintaining consistency in reporting and clearing operations.
The move could appeal to institutions that want the stability of a regulated exchange without the constraints of traditional trading hours. If approved, CME’s around-the-clock access could give it an edge over offshore platforms that already offer 24/7 trading but operate with less regulatory oversight.
CME Group's trading venue is a key marketplace for U.S. institutional investors to trade crypto derivatives. It's the world's leading exchange for BTC and ETH futures by open interest, with $16.8 billion and $9.8 billion in notional value of contracts, respectively, CoinGlass data shows.
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