Institutional demand for regulated crypto assets is exploding as CME Group published its Crypto Insights report for October 2025, revealing that the third quarter of this year was its strongest on record. Combined crypto futures and options volume surpassed $900 billion, and average daily open interest (OI) climbed to $31.3 billion. The report identified 1,014 large open interest holders (LOIH), underscoring the deepening role of institutional investors in the crypto sector.
XRP Futures Hit Record Highs
The report highlighted that XRP and Solana (SOL) futures reached all-time highs. Since launch in May 2025, the XRP and Micro XRP futures suite has traded 476,000 contracts, equating to over $23.7 billion in notional value. OI reached $1.4 billion in September and set a new LOIH record of 29 for XRP futures. CME Group stated: “This signals growing institutional and retail interest that extends beyond bitcoin and ether.”
Bitcoin and Ether Remain Backbone
While altcoin futures surged, Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) futures continued to serve as the core of CME’s crypto products. Ether futures and options reached record activity levels, including $10.6 billion in open interest in August and $1.2 billion in ether options open interest. Bitcoin remained the primary benchmark for institutional exposure.
CME Launches Options on Solana and XRP
To expand available trading tools, CME Group launched CFTC-approved options on Solana and XRP futures on Oct. 13. The company emphasized: “They are the only CFTC-approved XRP and Solana options in the U.S., providing a trusted platform for capital-efficient trading.”
24/7 Crypto Derivatives Trading Coming in 2026
CME also announced plans to introduce 24/7 crypto derivatives trading in early 2026, aligning regulated markets with the nonstop nature of digital assets. The move reflects the ongoing institutional integration of crypto into traditional finance. Additionally, growing demand for its spot-quoted Bitcoin and Ether futures combines futures efficiency with direct price exposure.