CME Group Announces Round-The-Clock Crypto Derivatives Trading Beginning May 29

CME Group, the world’s largest derivatives marketplace, announced Thursday that it will introduce nearly round‑the‑clock trading for its cryptocurrency derivatives, with the new schedule set to begin on May 29, pending regulatory approval.

The exchange announced that its crypto futures and options will transition to continuous trading on the CME Globex platform, providing broader access beyond the traditional weekly schedule. While the platform will operate on an almost 24/7 basis, it will still include a minimum two‑hour maintenance break each weekend.

According to the firm’s press release, the decision reflects the surging demand for cryptocurrency risk management tools amid falling cryptocurrency prices, including a 50% drop in Bitcoin’s value in just four months. 

Notably, Tim McCourt, CME Group’s Global Head of Equities, FX, and Alternative Products, said client appetite for digital asset exposure has reached unprecedented levels. 

“Client demand for risk management in the digital asset market is at an all-time high,” McCourt said, noting that continuous access to regulated crypto derivatives will allow traders to manage exposure whenever market conditions shift. 

While he acknowledged that not every asset class is suited for nonstop trading, he emphasized that always‑on access to transparent and regulated cryptocurrency products will enable clients to trade with greater flexibility and confidence.

Futures activity on the platform has been particularly strong, with the average daily volume climbing 47% from a year earlier.

If cleared, the move would mark a significant step in aligning regulated crypto derivatives trading more closely with the around‑the‑clock nature of underlying digital asset markets.

Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com