Bitcoin News Today: CME's 24/7 Crypto Push Navigates Regulatory Delays to Meet Rising Demand

Generated by AI AgentCoin World
Friday, Oct 3, 2025 10:11 am ET2min read
Speaker 1
Speaker 2
AI Podcast:Your News, Now Playing
Aime RobotAime Summary

- CME Group plans 24/7 crypto futures/options trading, starting 2026, pending CFTC approval.

- The move aims to meet rising institutional demand for continuous risk management and compete with offshore platforms.

- Regulatory delays persist due to CFTC's reduced capacity, but record $39B open interest and 95% YoY growth underscore market momentum.

- CME's Bitcoin/Ethereum futures dominate U.S. liquidity, with 55%+ global open interest share, as ETF inflows and October seasonality boost crypto adoption.

CME Group, the world's largest derivatives marketplace, announced on October 2, 2025, plans to introduce 24/7 trading for its cryptocurrency futures and options markets, pending regulatory approvalCME Group to Offer Around-the-Clock Trading for Cryptocurrency Futures[1]. The move, set to begin in early 2026, aims to align with the nonstop nature of crypto markets and address growing client demand for continuous risk managementCME Group to Launch 24/7 Crypto Futures and Options Trading[2]. The new model will include a two-hour weekly maintenance window and maintain holiday and weekend trades for settlement on the next business dayCME Group Plans 24/7 Crypto Derivatives Trading Starting Early 2026[3]. This shift is expected to enhance institutional participation by providing a regulated alternative to offshore platforms that already offer 24/7 accessCME Group To Launch 24/7 Crypto Trading by Early 2026[4].

The initiative follows a surge in demand for crypto derivatives, with

reporting record open interest in 2025. On September 18, notional open interest reached $39 billion, while August average daily open interest hit 335,200 contracts, a 95% year-on-year increaseCME Group to Offer Around-the-Clock Trading for Cryptocurrency Futures[1]. CME's and futures have become the most liquid in the U.S., with $16.8 billion and $9.8 billion in notional value, respectivelyCME Group Plans 24/7 Crypto Derivatives Trading Starting Early 2026[3]. Tim McCourt, CME's global head of equities, FX, and alternative products, emphasized that "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[1].

Regulatory hurdles remain a key challenge. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is operating with reduced capacity due to a government shutdown, delaying potential approvalsCME Group Plans 24/7 Crypto Derivatives Trading Starting Early 2026[3]. CME CEO Terrence Duffy highlighted the inevitability of 24/7 trading in a recent roundtable, stating that crypto's nonstop nature makes it the "optimal path forward"CME Group Plans 24/7 Crypto Derivatives Trading Starting Early 2026[3]. Despite these challenges, CME's expansion is positioned to capitalize on seasonal trends, with October historically being a strong month for Bitcoin, which has averaged a 21.9% return in October over the past decadeBitcoin ETF Breakdown: BlackRock, Fidelity Lead $627M Inflows[8].

The proposed 24/7 model could solidify CME's dominance in the institutional crypto derivatives market. Its regulated status contrasts with less oversight at offshore venues, offering stability critical for risk-averse investorsCME Group to Launch 24/7 Crypto Futures and Options Trading[2]. CoinGlass data shows CME's Bitcoin and Ethereum futures account for over 50% of global open interest in these assetsCME Group Plans 24/7 Crypto Derivatives Trading Starting Early 2026[3]. Analysts note that while the CFTC's current constraints may delay implementation, the market's demand for continuous trading is unlikely to waneCME Group Plans 24/7 Crypto Derivatives Trading Starting Early 2026[3].

CME's move reflects broader institutional adoption of crypto assets. Spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs have seen $55 billion in cumulative inflows since their January 2024 launchBitcoin ETF Record $741.5 Million Daily Inflows, Largest Since July Peak[6]. BlackRock's IBIT and Fidelity's FBTC alone attracted $627 million in Bitcoin ETF inflows on September 30, 2025. This trend underscores growing confidence in crypto as a legitimate asset class, with Bitcoin trading above $119,000 and Ethereum near $4,480 as of early October.

The expansion of CME's services aligns with macroeconomic expectations, including potential Federal Reserve rate cuts and seasonal price strength in October. With Bitcoin ETFs defying traditional market cycles and Ethereum ETFs showing renewed inflows, the derivatives market is poised to mirror these dynamics. CME's 24/7 offering could further integrate crypto into traditional finance, enhancing liquidity and price discovery for institutional investorsCME Group to Launch 24/7 Crypto Futures and Options Trading[2].

Comments



Add a public comment...
No comments

No comments yet