CME Group, the world's largest derivatives exchange, announced plans to launch 24/7 trading for cryptocurrency options and futures on May 29, subject to regulatory approval. The continuous trading will occur on CME Globex, with a brief weekly maintenance period scheduled for weekends.
This move by CME Group follows a broader discussion initiated by US regulators regarding the potential shift to always-on capital markets. Recent statements from the SEC and CFTC highlighted that markets for assets like gold and crypto already trade continuously, suggesting expanded hours could better reflect a global, 24/7 economy. Nasdaq has also announced plans to expand its trading hours, offering 24-hour markets five days a week, expected in the latter half of 2026. The New York Stock Exchange is further developing a platform for trading tokenized stocks and ETFs, which will also feature 24/7 trading capabilities and integrate with blockchain technology.