CME Group, the world's largest derivatives marketplace, announced it will launch 24/7 trading for its regulated cryptocurrency futures and options on May 29, 2026, pending regulatory review. The new schedule will begin at 4:00 p.m. Central Time on Friday, May 29, on the CME Globex platform, providing clients round-the-clock access to hedging and trading tools tied to bitcoin and other digital assets.
The continuous trading schedule includes a minimum two-hour weekly maintenance period over the weekend. Holiday and weekend trades from Friday evening through Sunday evening will carry the trade date of the following business day, with clearing, settlement, and regulatory reporting processed on the next business day.
Extended Trading Hours to 24/7
Tim McCourt, CME Group's global head of equities, foreign exchange, and alternative products, stated: "Client demand for risk management in the digital asset market is at an all-time high, driving a record $3 trillion in notional volume across our Cryptocurrency futures and options in 2025." He emphasized that the expanded schedule enables clients to manage exposure at any time, particularly during periods of heightened volatility.
CME reported strong growth in its crypto product suite: year-to-date average daily volume (ADV) stood at 407,200 contracts in 2026, a 46% increase from the same period last year. Average daily open interest reached 335,400 contracts, up 7% year over year. Futures trading drove much of this growth, with futures ADV at 403,900 contracts, up 47% compared with last year's levels.
The exchange noted that not all markets lend themselves to nonstop trading, but cryptocurrency products represent a category where continuous access supports risk management needs. The change is designed to ensure clients can manage exposure at any time, particularly during heightened volatility.
Traditional Markets Are Embracing Crypto Infrastructure
CME's 24/7 plan follows a broader trend of market infrastructure adapting to digital asset trading patterns. Crypto markets operate without traditional closing hours, and institutional traders have sought products that match the constant availability of underlying spot markets.
CME Group operates exchanges across major asset classes including interest rates, equity indexes, foreign exchange, energy, agriculture, and metals. Its platforms include CME Globex for futures and options trading, BrokerTec for fixed income, and EBS for foreign exchange. The company also runs CME Clearing, one of the world's largest central counterparty clearing providers, which plays a role in reducing counterparty risk in derivatives markets.
The May 29 launch date remains subject to regulatory review. If approved, the expanded schedule will mark a shift in how U.S.-regulated crypto derivatives are traded, bringing futures and options markets closer to the continuous rhythm of global cryptocurrency trading.