CME Group, the world’s largest derivatives exchange, will begin offering round-the-clock trading for its crypto futures and options contracts starting May 29.
The expanded schedule will allow market participants to buy and sell Bitcoin, Ether, and other digital asset derivatives at any hour on the CME Globex platform, with only a brief maintenance window each weekend. The shift requires regulatory sign-off before taking effect.
“Providing always-on access to our regulated, transparent Cryptocurrency products ensures clients can manage their exposure and trade with confidence at any time,” said Tim McCourt, a senior executive at the exchange.
The move aligns CME’s offerings with the nonstop rhythm of spot crypto markets, where trading activity often surges outside traditional U.S. business hours.
Demand for the exchange’s digital asset products has climbed sharply. Notional volume reached $3.0 trillion in 2025, while average daily contracts traded rose 46% year-over-year to 407,200 in early 2026.
CME has steadily broadened its crypto lineup since debuting Bitcoin futures in 2017 and Ether futures four years later. In February, it added contracts tied to Cardano, Chainlink, and Stellar.
Open interest in Bitcoin derivatives across the market has pulled back to roughly $44.0 billion, according to CoinGlass data, yet institutional appetite for regulated venues remains firm as US policy toward digital assets continues to evolve.
