CME Group has rolled out 24/7 trading for cryptocurrency futures and options, extending regulated crypto derivatives access through the weekend. The new schedule went live on Friday, May 29. During the first weekend alone, traders exchanged more than 7,200 contracts with nearly $50 million in notional value, according to CME.
First weekend volume reaches nearly $50 million
The launch brought in activity from both retail and institutional participants. CME, Ripple Prime, Robinhood Markets, and Wedbush Securities were all involved in the rollout, which is built around a simple change with broad market impact: regulated crypto derivatives no longer shut down when the traditional trading week ends.
Tim McCourt, CME Group’s Global Head of Equities, FX and Alternative Products, said the move responds to demand for continuous liquidity. His point was clear. Digital asset markets trade around the clock, and regulated venues are now adjusting their structure to match that rhythm more closely. For participants using futures and options to manage exposure, weekend access removes a gap that had remained in regulated trading.
Ripple Prime joins as clearing and financing partner
Ripple Prime entered the platform as a day-one clearing and financing partner. Ripple said regulated crypto futures and options trading is now available around the clock through CME Group. Mike Higgins of Ripple Prime said institutional demand for crypto derivatives is already in place, and pointed to XRP futures as a sign of that traction.
According to Ripple, XRP futures became the fastest CME crypto contracts to surpass $1 billion in open interest, reaching that level within three months. Noel Kimmel, President of Ripple Prime, said institutions managing digital asset exposure need uninterrupted access to regulated derivatives markets, adding that the firm’s infrastructure supports continuous trading and financing services.
Robinhood and Wedbush say operations are ready
Other firms tied to the launch also stressed operational readiness. JB Mackenzie, Vice President and General Manager of Futures and International at Robinhood Markets, said customers can now access regulated crypto futures at any time. Wedbush Securities said it has supported clients on a 24/7 basis for more than a year.
Bob Fitzsimmons, Executive Vice President at Wedbush, said client demand is still driving change across the marketplace. With the new schedule now live, CME has expanded its crypto derivatives infrastructure into a continuous weekly market, bringing regulated trading hours closer to the nonstop structure of digital assets.