CME Group to Launch 24/7 Trading for Crypto Futures and Options in 2026

The world’s leading derivatives marketplace said the move reflects rising demand from clients seeking to manage crypto risk every day of the week. 

“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,” said Tim McCourt, Global Head of Equities, FX and Alternative Products at CME Group. 

“Ensuring that our regulated cryptocurrency markets are always on will enable clients to trade with confidence at any time.”

Trading will take place on CME Globex, with a two-hour weekly maintenance window at weekends. Activity conducted between Friday evening and Sunday evening will be assigned the following business day as the trade date, with clearing, settlement and reporting also processed the next business day.

The announcement follows record levels of activity across CME Group’s crypto markets in 2025. 

Notional open interest hit $39 billion on 18 September, while August average daily open interest rose 95% year on year to 335,200 contracts, equivalent to $31.6 billion notional. Average daily volumes surged 230% to 411,000 contracts, or $14.9 billion notional, and the number of large open interest holders topped 1,010 in late September.

CME Group said the expansion will strengthen its role as a trusted venue for institutional crypto risk management.