Crypto Derivatives Trading: CME Group’s 24/7 Expansion in 2026

What to Know:

• CME Group plans to offer ‘always on’ trading for crypto markets in 2026.
• This expansion is still pending regulatory review due to the current US government shutdown.
• The move towards 24/7 crypto trading is driven by growing client demand and market trend.

In a significant development for the crypto market, the derivatives marketplace Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Group has announced its plans to offer ‘always on’ trading for crypto markets starting from 2026.

The CME Group, in a recent notice, revealed that it would enable its clients to trade cryptocurrency futures and options ’24 hours a day, seven days a week beginning in early 2026′, subject to regulatory approval. This round-the-clock cryptocurrency trading represents a substantial expansion of its services, moving beyond the currently scheduled pauses during weekends, holidays, and non-business hours.

The global head of equities, FX, and alternative products at CME Group, Tim McCourt, explained that not all markets are suited for operating 24/7, but the crypto market is an exception. The demand for constant cryptocurrency trading has surged as market participants need to manage their risk every day of the week. McCourt added that maintaining their regulated cryptocurrency markets always operational would enable clients to trade with confidence at all times.

The decision comes as the global crypto derivatives open interest stands at about $3.2 billion, according to CoinMarketCap. The CME Group itself reported a notional open interest volume of approximately $39 billion as of September 18.

However, this planned expansion is currently subject to regulatory review under the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the financial agency responsible for overseeing derivatives markets. Given the ongoing US government shutdown caused by the failure of Congress to pass a budget bill, it’s highly unlikely the CFTC will be able to review the 24/7 trading proposal until the shutdown concludes.

Addressing this issue, CME Group CEO Terrence Duffy, in a recent joint roundtable discussion with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and CFTC, suggested that the market would soon demand 24/7 trading and that crypto is the ‘best way to get there’.

While there are doubts as to whether the US government shutdown could extend into 2026, there was no proposed deal being considered at the time of publication.

In conclusion, the move by the CME Group to offer 24/7 crypto trading services is indicative of the growing institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies and the bullish outlook for the crypto market. While regulatory hurdles remain, it’s clear that the demand for such services is increasing, underlining the need for regulatory bodies to adapt and accommodate these market trends.

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