CME Expands Trading Hours for Bitcoin and Ether Derivatives

CME Group will soon introduce around-the-clock trading in its cryptocurrency futures and options, marking a significant shift in the regulated derivatives market. Starting May 29, the exchange will allow trading on CME Globex to run nearly uninterrupted, with clearing and reporting for weekend activity processed on the following business day.

This change is expected to strengthen CME's position as a leading player in the institutional crypto derivatives market. The exchange said demand for risk management tools in digital assets has accelerated, with cryptocurrency derivatives generating $3 trillion in notional volume in 2025.

The move reflects a broader trend of integrating digital assets into existing derivatives infrastructure rather than operating in parallel offshore systems. By offering continuous trading, CME aims to provide institutional participants with real-time hedging and exposure management capabilities, allowing them to respond immediately to macro events, ETF flows, and spot-market volatility.