New cash-settled futures contracts will track a basket of major cryptocurrencies, targeting institutional demand for regulated derivatives.
CME Group will introduce Nasdaq CME Crypto Index futures on June 8, pending regulatory approval. The contracts mark its first market-cap-weighted crypto futures, offering exposure to BTC, ETH, and five other cryptocurrencies via a single cash-settled product.
The move follows a 43% year-to-date increase in average daily trading volume across CME’s crypto suite. Lifetime notional volume for its crypto products has surpassed $7.3 trillion, reflecting growing institutional participation in a market where derivatives account for 80% of global activity.
The futures will be available in micro and standard sizes, aligning with CME’s push to expand its role in institutional crypto pricing. The index includes SOL, XRP, ADA, LINK, and XLM alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum.