Bitcoin News Today: CME's 24/7 Crypto Push Bridges Traditional and Digital Markets

CME Group, the world's leading derivatives marketplace, announced on October 2, 2025, that its cryptocurrency futures and options will transition to 24/7 trading beginning in early 2026, pending regulatory approval. The move responds to surging client demand for continuous risk management tools in a market that operates without pause. Tim McCourt, Global Head of Equities, FX, and Alternative Products at CME Group, emphasized the alignment of regulated markets with the 24/7 nature of digital assets: "Ensuring our regulated cryptocurrency markets are always on will enable clients to trade with confidence at any time" CME Group to Offer Around-the-Clock Trading for Cryptocurrency Futures and Options^[1].

The new trading model will see CME's cryptocurrency futures and options trade continuously on CME Globex, with a two-hour weekly maintenance window over the weekend. Weekend and holiday trading will carry the next business day's trade date, with clearing, settlement, and regulatory reporting processed accordingly CME Group to Offer Around-the-Clock Trading for Cryptocurrency Futures and Options^[1]. This shift aims to eliminate "CME gaps"-price discrepancies caused by weekend closures in futures markets-thereby improving price discovery and reducing arbitrage opportunities CME Group Unveils 24/7 Crypto Futures and Options Trading^[2].

CME's cryptocurrency derivatives have experienced explosive growth in 2025, reflecting institutional confidence in regulated crypto products. In August 2025, average daily volume (ADV) reached 411,000 contracts, a 230% year-over-year increase, representing $14.9 billion in notional value. By September 2025, notional open interest hit $39 billion, with over 1,010 large open interest holders across products CME Group to Offer Around-the-Clock Trading for Cryptocurrency Futures and Options^[1]. These figures underscore a maturing market, as institutional participation and demand for hedging tools expand CME Group to Launch 24/7 Crypto Futures and Options Trading^[3].

The transition to 24/7 trading is expected to enhance liquidity and market efficiency. By aligning with the non-stop operation of spot crypto markets, CME positions itself to compete with offshore exchanges and other regulated platforms like Cboe, which already offer continuous trading CME Group Unveils 24/7 Crypto Futures and Options Trading^[2]. Analysts note that the move could reduce volatility by enabling real-time responses to macroeconomic events and news, while also fostering deeper institutional participation CME Group to Launch 24/7 Trading for Crypto Futures and Options^[4].

CME's expansion follows broader trends in crypto adoption, including the rise of spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs and the growth of stablecoins. The firm's dominance in Bitcoin futures open interest (OI) has already surpassed Binance, with $16.5 billion in BTC futures OI as of June 2025 CME Overtakes Binance in Bitcoin Futures as Institutions Flood Crypto Derivatives Market^[5]. The introduction of 24/7 trading is seen as a critical step in bridging traditional finance and the crypto ecosystem, reinforcing CME's role as a clearinghouse for risk management in digital assets CME Group Unveils 24/7 Crypto Futures and Options Trading^[2].

The implementation of 24/7 trading will be closely monitored by market participants, with key metrics including post-launch trading volumes, open interest, and regulatory developments. As the crypto market continues to evolve, CME's move signals a shift toward institutionalization and mainstream integration, with potential long-term implications for global digital asset liquidity and adoption CME Group to Launch 24/7 Trading for Crypto Futures and Options^[4].