Cboe Plans Bitcoin Futures Launch on April 28, 2025

Cboe Digital, the cryptocurrency division of the Chicago Board of Options Exchange, is planning to launch a new Bitcoin futures product later this month, pending regulatory approval. The new trading instrument, developed in collaboration with FTSE Russell, will be cash-settled and based on the XBTF Index, which represents one-tenth the value of the FTSE Bitcoin Index. The settlement will occur on the last business day of each month.

If regulators approve Cboe’s application, the futures will commence trading on April 28. Futures are a type of derivative where the buyer and seller agree to trade an asset at a predetermined price and date in the future. They are widely used for hedging and managing risk, as well as capitalizing on market trends and behavior.

Catherine Clay, Global Head of Derivatives at cboe, stated, "This launch comes at a pivotal time as demand for crypto exposure continues to grow and market participants are increasingly seeking more capital-efficient and versatile ways to gain and manage that exposure."

In November 2023, Cboe became the first U.S. regulated exchange to offer both spot and leveraged derivatives trading on a single platform after receiving approval from the CFTC to list margined Bitcoin and Ether futures.

Cboe Global Markets is set to introduce a new Bitcoin Index futures product, the Cboe FTSE Bitcoin Index Futures, on April 28, 2025. This launch is contingent upon regulatory approval and aims to complement the existing Cboe Bitcoin futures offerings. The new futures contract will be cash-settled, providing investors with another avenue to gain exposure to Bitcoin's price movements without the need for physical delivery of the cryptocurrency. This development underscores Cboe's commitment to expanding its suite of cryptocurrency derivatives, catering to the growing demand for regulated Bitcoin investment products. The introduction of the Cboe FTSE Bitcoin Index Futures is expected to attract a broader range of institutional and retail investors seeking to diversify their portfolios with Bitcoin exposure. The new product will likely enhance market liquidity and provide more sophisticated trading strategies for participants in the cryptocurrency space.