The exchange rolls out round-the-clock access for smaller contracts amid 300% growth in micro WTI volumes year-on-year.
CME Group will introduce 24/7 trading for 10-Barrel WTI crude oil futures on August 30 and extend it to 1-Ounce gold futures from July 26, pending regulatory approval. The move targets retail and active traders seeking smaller, continuous exposure amid heightened geopolitical risks and market volatility.
Micro WTI futures average daily volume surged 317% year-on-year to 272,000 contracts in May, while WTI options hit a record 320,000 contracts in Q1 2026. The new 10-Barrel WTI contract is 1/100th the size of standard WTI futures and 1/10th the size of Micro WTI, designed for cash settlement.
The expansion reflects rising demand for diversified commodity exposure, particularly during weekend-risk events like Iran-related developments in oil markets. Both contracts will trade continuously on Globex with a two-minute daily maintenance window.