CME Group to Launch 24/7 Crypto Derivatives Trading May 29

Edgen Crypto

·Feb 19 2026, 13:58

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Key Takeaways

CME Group, the world's largest derivatives marketplace, will expand its cryptocurrency futures and options trading to 24/7 starting May 29. The decision is a direct response to record institutional demand, signaling a significant step in the maturation of digital assets within regulated financial markets.

CME Group will offer around-the-clock trading for its regulated crypto futures and options, bridging the gap between traditional finance and the always-on crypto market.
The expansion is driven by record client demand, which generated $3 trillion in notional volume across its crypto products in 2025.
This move is expected to increase liquidity and attract more institutional capital by providing continuous risk management capabilities for global market participants.

CME Responds to $3 Trillion Demand with 24/7 Crypto Trading

CME Group announced on February 19, 2026, that it will expand trading for its regulated cryptocurrency futures and options to 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The new, continuous trading hours are set to begin on May 29, pending regulatory review. This move directly addresses surging institutional interest, as the exchange's crypto products saw a record-breaking $3 trillion in notional volume throughout 2025.

Client demand for risk management in the digital asset market is at an all-time high.

— Tim McCourt, Global Head of Equities, FX and Alternative Products at CME Group.

Expanded Hours Signal Maturing Institutional Crypto Market

The expansion to a 24/7 model bridges a critical gap between the nonstop nature of digital asset markets and the structured hours of traditional derivatives exchanges. By enabling around-the-clock access, CME Group caters to a global client base, potentially increasing liquidity and trading volumes, particularly from participants in Asia and Europe operating outside of standard U.S. market hours.

This operational shift further solidifies cryptocurrencies as a mature asset class within regulated financial systems. It provides institutions with more robust tools for managing risk at any time, reducing market fragmentation and potentially attracting more conservative capital that requires the security of a regulated, continuously available trading environment.