CME Group, the world's leading derivatives marketplace, announced it will launch 24/7 crypto futures and options trading on May 29. This move signifies a significant shift towards continuous access in the digital asset market.
Starting the afternoon of May 29, all CME crypto futures and options will trade continuously, with a brief weekly maintenance break. Previously, these products had a daily closure gap between Friday afternoon and Sunday evening. Transactions made during the weekend will carry the trade date of the following business day, with clearing and settlement also processed then.
Tim McCourt, CME's global head of equities, FX, and alternative products, stated, "Providing always-on access to our regulated, transparent cryptocurrency products ensures clients can manage their exposure and trade with confidence at any time." The change is pending regulatory review.
CFTC chair Mike Selig has signaled support for 24/7 crypto markets, calling them a "no-brainer" for certain asset classes, while acknowledging it may not suit all commodities.
This development mirrors broader trends on Wall Street, with exchanges like Nasdaq and the NYSE also exploring round-the-clock stock trading. The NYSE is developing a platform for the 24/7 settlement of tokenized stocks, indicating a significant move towards continuous financial market operations.