CME Group Set to Launch 24/7 Trading for Regulated Crypto Derivatives

CME Group is set to launch a significant evolution in bridging traditional finance (TradFi) with the always-on crypto ecosystem. The world's leading derivatives marketplace will introduce 24/7 trading for its regulated cryptocurrency futures and options on May 29, 2026, pending final regulatory review and approval.

The continuous trading will take place on the CME Globex platform, starting at 4:00 p.m. CT (Central Time) on Friday, May 29 — equivalent to 5:00 p.m. ET or 10:00 p.m. UTC, depending on daylight saving adjustments. This move aims to reduce basis risk and improve hedging efficiency by aligning CME derivatives with the 24/7 spot crypto markets.

The decision comes amid strong institutional demand, with CME reporting record volumes in its crypto suite, including $3 trillion in notional volume across 2025. The launch of continuous trading is expected to attract more participants, tighten spreads, and increase depth, especially in futures/options for Bitcoin, Ether, Solana, XRP, and others.