What to Know:
- Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Group plans to offer 24/7 cryptocurrency trading services from 2026.
- The initiative, still under regulatory review, will significantly expand CME’s services beyond traditional trading hours.
- The announcement comes amid increasing client demand for constant access to cryptocurrency markets.
The burgeoning world of XRP and other cryptocurrencies will soon experience a significant shift. The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Group announced plans to extend its crypto trading services to a 24/7 model by 2026. This initiative, pending regulatory approval, forms part of the CME Group’s strategic response to the growing demand for continuous access to the crypto market.
This development means clients will be able to trade crypto futures and options at any time, any day of the week. This “always-on” approach to cryptocurrency trading is a major leap from the current market model, which pauses trading during weekends, holidays, and outside business hours.
Tim McCourt, CME Group’s global head of equities, FX, and alternative products, recognized the unique needs of the crypto market. “While not all markets lend themselves to operating 24/7, client demand for around-the-clock cryptocurrency trading has grown as market participants need to manage their risk every day of the week,” McCourt said.
The new trading model is expected to bolster confidence among clients, enabling them to trade with certainty at any given time. This move also follows CME Group’s recent announcement of plans to launch options on Solana, along with XRP futures, in October.
Institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies is steadily increasing, with CoinMarketCap data indicating a total global crypto derivatives open interest of about $3.2 billion. Meanwhile, the CME Group reported a notional open interest volume of roughly $39 billion as of September 18.
However, the road to 24/7 trading is not without obstacles. Regulatory review, under the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), is essential for the proposed change. Yet, the current US government shutdown has reduced the CFTC’s operations, potentially delaying the review process.
CME Group CEO Terrence Duffy, during a joint roundtable discussion with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and CFTC, expressed confidence that the market will soon demand 24/7 trading. According to Duffy, embracing cryptocurrencies is the “best way to get there.”
While it’s improbable that the US government shutdown could extend into 2026 — the record stands at 35 days, between 2018 and 2019 — the situation underscores the regulatory challenges crypto markets face.
In conclusion, the CME Group’s move to offer 24/7 cryptocurrency trading services marks a significant step forward for the entire crypto market, including Bitcoin, Ripple, and other cryptocurrencies. While regulatory hurdles exist, the shift towards an “always-on” trading model underscores the growing influence and institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies. This suggests a bullish future for the crypto market, further cementing its role in the global financial ecosystem.
