CME Group to Launch 24/7 Crypto Derivatives Trading and Add Avalanche, Sui Futures

CME Group announces two major expansions to its crypto derivatives business: launching 24/7 trading for all crypto futures and options starting May 29, 2025, and introducing Avalanche (AVAX) and Sui (SUI) futures contracts on May 4, pending regulatory approval. The Chicago-based exchange, which already offers Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Solana derivatives, added Cardano, Stellar, and Chainlink to its portfolio earlier in 2025. CME's crypto volumes reached record highs in 2024 with over $13 billion in daily notional trading, and March 2025 volumes were up 19% year-over-year at nearly $8 billion daily. The moves reflect growing institutional demand for regulated crypto exposure and continuous market access.

CME Group's expansion of crypto derivatives offerings with AVAX and SUI futures

• ▪CME Group is launching Avalanche (AVAX) futures contracts slated to begin trading in May 2025
• ▪CME Group expects its AVAX and SUI futures to go live on May 4, 2025, with regulatory approval
• ▪Giovanni Vicioso is CME Global Head of Crypto Products
• ▪CME Group offers Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Solana futures and options
• ▪CME Group added Cardano (ADA), Stellar (XLM), and Chainlink (LINK) to its derivatives portfolio earlier in 2025
• ▪CME Group's Avalanche and Sui futures will include both micro-sized and larger-sized contracts
• ▪CME Group's Avalanche and Sui futures offerings are subject to regulatory review

Transition to 24/7 crypto derivatives trading

• ▪CME Group is shifting to 24/7 trading of crypto options and futures on May 29, 2025

CME's growing crypto market presence and future initiatives

• ▪CME Group hopes to launch new products from its tokenized cash initiative with Google later in 2025
• ▪CME Group is working on a tokenized cash initiative with Google
• ▪CME Group traded nearly $8 billion in average notional value daily in March 2025
• ▪CME Group's March 2025 average daily volume was up 19% year-over-year
• ▪CME Group's crypto trading volumes hit new record highs in 2024 with more than $13 billion in notional volumes traded every day
• ▪CME Group announced earlier in 2025 it was considering different initiatives with its own coin to be used on decentralized networks

Perspective of CME Group

• ▪CME Group's expansion into Avalanche and Sui futures reflects growing institutional interest in alternative layer-1 blockchain networks
• ▪Giovanni Vicioso stated CME Group's 24/7 trading shift responds to client demand for continuous market access

Perspective of Avalanche and Sui networks

• ▪CME Group's addition of SUI futures marks Sui's entry into major regulated derivatives markets alongside established cryptocurrencies
• ▪Regulated futures contracts for AVAX and SUI may increase price discovery and liquidity for both tokens

Perspective of Institutional crypto traders

• ▪Isaac Cahana of Plus500US views CME Group's continuous trading as aligning regulated markets with the always-on nature of crypto spot markets
• ▪CME Group's 24/7 crypto derivatives trading eliminates weekend gap risk that institutional traders face with limited trading hours