CME Group Wants to Keep Its Crypto Markets Open 24/7 From Next Year

CME Group plans to offer around the clock trading for cryptocurrency futures and options markets beginning early 2026, pending regulatory clearance.

This shift reflects growing demand from market participants who require the ability to manage their risk every day of the week, not just during traditional market hours.

Digital assets meet tradfi in London at the fmls25

According to the company, while not all markets suit nonstop trading, the dynamic nature of the crypto market and client needs justify this change.

Around-the-Clock Trading to Meet Increasing Demand

"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."

By keeping its regulated crypto markets open at all times, CME aims to provide traders with the confidence to transact whenever they choose. Currently, CME’s crypto futures and options trading halts on weekends and outside of certain hours.

The proposed new trading schedule will reportedly allow access every day through the CME Globex platform, except for a brief weekly maintenance period on weekends.

Keep reading: CME Brings Wall Street to Sports Bettors with New Event Contracts Partnership

Trades executed during holidays or weekends will carry the trade date of the next business day, ensuring clearing, settlement , and regulatory reporting remain aligned with standard market rules.

Institutional Interest Hits New Highs at CME

This move follows a period of strong growth in CME's crypto derivative markets throughout 2025. The trading activity reportedly includes a $39 billion notional open interest in mid-September and a 230% year-on-year increase in average daily trading volume in August.

Allowing 24/7 trading better aligns CME's offering with the nonstop pace of the cryptocurrency markets, which operate continuously around the globe. This adjustment may entice institutional investors seeking regulated infrastructure without limited trading hours, offering an alternative to less-regulated offshore venues that already provide nonstop access.

Recently, CME Group partnered with sports betting operator FanDuel to launch event contracts aimed at millions of gaming customers. This marked a significant expansion of these binary options-style products, which have surged in popularity this year.

The joint venture allows FanDuel users to place simple yes-or-no bets with stakes starting at $1 on financial market events, including S&P 500 movements, oil prices, and economic data.

• Bloomberg to Add EBS Spot FX Data to Benchmark in Deal With CME Group
• Forex Volumes Surges 30% at World's Biggest Exchange
• CME’s FX Marketplace Posts $1.4 Billion Daily Volume, Attracts 40 Clients in First Month