CME opens doors to non-stop trading
CME Group, the world's largest derivatives marketplace, has announced that it will allow trading of cryptocurrency futures and options 24 hours a day, seven days a week from the beginning of 2026, subject to regulatory approval.
Trading will take place non-stop on the CME Globex platform, with the only exception of a two-hour weekly maintenance break. Trades executed on weekends or public holidays will be settled and cleared on the first working day thereafter.
Tim McCourt, Global Head of Equities, FX and Alternative Products at CME, pointed out that the impetus has come from customers:
"Not all markets lend themselves to 24/7 trading, but the demand for continuous trading in cryptocurrencies has grown. Ensuring that our regulated markets are always active will allow clients to trade with confidence at all times."
A demand supported by record volumes
The decision comes in a year of strong expansion for CME's crypto products:
- Record $39 billion open interest on 18 September
- 335,200 average daily open interest contracts in August, up 95% year-on-year
- 411.000 average daily contracts traded in August, +230% year-on-year
- Over 1,000 large open position holders at the end of September
These numbers reflect the growing institutional adoption of crypto derivatives, introduced by CME in 2017 with futures on Bitcoin. In recent months, the offering has expanded beyond Bitcoin and Ether, with new options on Solana and XRP futures scheduled for October 2025, pending approval.
A signal to traditional finance
CME's choice replicates that of cryptocurrency spot markets, which operate without interruption. According to analysts, continuous derivatives trading could, reduce price gaps during CME market hours, improve hedging opportunities during global events, and shift liquidity from offshore platforms to regulated ones.
The move confirms how integrated cryptocurrencies are now into mainstream finance. CME already offered extended hours for many contracts, but a true 24/7 timetable for crypto derivatives sets an important precedent for regulated markets.
It also responds to pressure from institutional investors who want to manage their exposures without having to resort to unregulated platforms. The adoption of futures on Solana and XRP, which have already achieved faster milestones than Bitcoin and Ether in years past, highlights the evolution of the market.
For regulators, the news will inevitably raise a debate on how continuous trading fits in with US clearing and reporting rules.
Looking forward
If approved, the initiative could reshape the crypto derivatives market, offering 24/7 hedging tools within a regulated framework.
The message is clear: the world's largest derivatives market is moving ever closer to the 'always-on' ethos of digital assets.
It remains to be seen whether liquidity and participation will follow the ambition at all times of day. But for global investors, the gap between traditional markets and the uninterrupted cryptocurrency cycle is closing fast.
