CME Group enters 24/7 Crypto Assets futures and options trading, expected to launch in 2026.

CME Group announced the launch of 24/7 trading for cryptocurrency futures and options in early 2026, challenging the traditional financial schedule; the U.S. government shutdown adds variables to the CFTC review, but the market expects the timeline to proceed as planned. This article analyzes the project details, regulatory progress, and the impact on market liquidity, showcasing the accelerated integration of traditional finance and digital assets. (Background: The world's first "SUI ETF" submitted for SEC review, Solana futures officially landing on CME to pave the way for SOL ETF approval) (Background: Bitcoin CME futures set a record gap of $10,000, is there a pressure to fill?) The financial technology frontier at the intersection of Wall Street and Silicon Valley is once again entering a critical moment. The global derivatives leader CME Group recently issued a press release confirming that it will allow cryptocurrency futures and options to enter a 24/7 trading mode in early 2026. This announcement symbolizes traditional finance officially embracing the rhythm of the "city that never sleeps," and it brings the interaction between digital assets and regulatory frameworks to the forefront of the market. Seamless extension of trading hours, institutional risk management faces changes Tim McCourt, global head of stocks, forex, and alternative products at CME Group, pointed out that the launch of year-round service is a response to institutional investors' demand for "around-the-clock risk management." CME plans to adopt continuous matching on the Globex platform, reserving only brief maintenance windows each week; trades on weekends and holidays will be carried over to the next business day's clearing. Official data shows that by September 2025, CME's nominal open contracts for crypto derivatives reached $39 billion, with strong growth momentum laying the foundation for service expansion. Government shutdown stalls CFTC review schedule Adding uncertainty to the timeline, CME must still obtain approval from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) according to U.S. regulations for its expanded operations. However, the government is currently embroiled in a shutdown due to budget disputes, limiting CFTC's staffing and budget, which may suspend some review processes. Nevertheless, CME CEO Terrence Duffy emphasized in a meeting: "The market will soon need 24/7 trading, and cryptocurrency is the best way to achieve that goal." The industry generally believes that if the shutdown does not extend for a long time, CME still has a chance to complete all regulatory procedures before early 2026. Liquidity and price discovery efficiency upgraded simultaneously After the entry of crypto derivatives into continuous trading, prices will more promptly reflect the fluctuations of underlying assets such as BTC and ETH, potentially reducing the gap risk that occurs during market closures. For institutional investors, the new trading hours allow for timely adjustments of hedging positions, reducing reliance on offshore platforms. Currently, CME holds $16.8 billion and $9.8 billion in open positions for Bitcoin and Ethereum futures, respectively; combined with already listed Solana and XRP products, it is expected to attract more mainstream capital to remain in a regulated environment, reshaping the competitive landscape. The speed of integration between traditional finance and digital assets accelerates The adoption of the 24/7 model by CME is seen as a positive challenge to the traditional "9 to 5" schedule, and once realized, the financial market will operate synchronously in a single rhythm for the first time. In the short term, the CFTC review remains the key determinant of the timeline; in the medium to long term, how the Trump administration balances innovation and regulation will also be a focal point for market observation. If the plan is activated as scheduled, the liquidity and transparency brought by continuous trading will further bridge Wall Street capital with the crypto ecosystem, opening up new risk management and investment opportunities for global investors. In summary, CME Group's push for around-the-clock trading not only responds to market demand but also lays a milestone for the deep integration of traditional finance and digital assets. Despite the temporary uncertainty caused by the government shutdown, the market expects the review to conclude before early 2026. When the bell no longer restricts pricing, the global financial landscape will welcome a distinctly different rhythm. Related Reports Financial Times: The EU's digital euro considers operating on public chains such as Ethereum and Solana, moving towards a transparent ledger. The U.S. and EU finalize trade details: imposing 15% tariffs on cars and semiconductors, the EU to purchase $750 billion worth of energy products from the U.S. Deutsche Bank's "EURAU" Euro stablecoin launched: receiving dual certification from MiCA and Germany, will the European payment landscape be rewritten? The article "CME Group launches 24/7 cryptocurrency futures and options trading, expected in 2026" was first published in BlockTempo, the most influential blockchain news media.