CME Group launches Bitcoin Volatility futures on June 1, 2026, pending regulatory approval, trading under ticker BVI. Each cash-settled contract is worth $500 times the CME CF Bitcoin Volatility Index (BVX), a 30-day forward-looking benchmark derived from real-time Bitcoin options data. The product allows traders to hedge or speculate on volatility itself rather than price direction. CME first launched Bitcoin futures in December 2017.
Bitcoin Volatility futures launch
- ▪CME Group's Bitcoin Volatility futures will trade under the ticker BVI
- ▪Each CME Group Bitcoin Volatility futures contract is worth $500 times the value of the BVX index
- ▪CME Group is set to launch Bitcoin Volatility futures on June 1, 2026, pending regulatory approval
- ▪CME Group's Bitcoin Volatility futures contracts are cash-settled
Volatility trading mechanics
- ▪Bitcoin Volatility futures focus on how much Bitcoin's price is expected to fluctuate rather than tracking Bitcoin's price direction
- ▪The CBOE launched the VIX in 1993 to measure the level of turbulence the stock market expects over the next 30 days
- ▪Bitcoin Volatility futures allow traders to hedge or speculate on volatility itself rather than market direction
BVX index methodology
- ▪CME Group's Bitcoin Volatility futures contracts will be settled against the CME CF Bitcoin Volatility Index (BVX)
- ▪The CME CF Bitcoin Volatility Index (BVX) is a 30-day forward-looking benchmark derived from real-time Bitcoin options data
- ▪The December 2025 version of the CME CF Bitcoin Volatility Index (BVX) was built specifically to serve as the foundation for tradable futures contracts
- ▪Sui Chung stated that the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate has served as the benchmark spot price for years, allowing regulated derivatives, ETFs, and ETPs as well as lending markets to flourish
- ▪The CME CF Bitcoin Volatility Index (BVX) launched as a non-tradable benchmark in April 2024
- ▪The CME CF Bitcoin Volatility Index (BVX) monitors live Bitcoin options orders on CME's exchange every second during trading hours from 7 AM to 4 PM Central Time
Institutional demand for hedging
- ▪David Schlageter is Managing Director and Head of Derivatives Sales at Morgan Stanley
CME cryptocurrency product expansion
- ▪CME Group's Bitcoin options contracts traded at nearly $46 billion as of November 2025
- ▪Giovanni Vicioso is Global Head of Cryptocurrency Products at CME Group
- ▪CME Group's Q1 2026 revenue reached $1.9 billion, crossing analyst predictions of $1.85 billion
- ▪CME Group's Q1 2026 earnings came in at $3.36, exceeding analyst expectations of $3.31
- ▪CME Group launched its first Bitcoin futures in December 2017
- ▪CME Group announced futures on Cardano (ADA), Chainlink (LINK), and Stellar (XLM) in 2026
Story comments
Loading comments…