CME Group Plans Round-the-Clock Crypto Futures and Options in May

TL;DR

• CME will enable 24-7 crypto futures and options trading on May 29.
• CFTC chair Mike Selig said nonstop crypto markets are a “no-brainer.”
• Nasdaq and NYSE are working on similar 24-7 stock trading systems.
• CME crypto derivatives saw $3T notional volume in 2025, a record year.

CME Group will move to 24/7 trading for its cryptocurrency futures and options in late May. The change marks a major step toward nonstop access for institutional users and comes at a moment when broader financial markets are exploring similar schedules. The transition remains subject to regulatory review, yet the Commodity Futures Trading Commission signaled support for a nonstop structure.

Under the plan, CME will open continuous trading for all crypto futures and options beginning on the afternoon of May 29. The schedule will include one short weekly maintenance window. Under current operating hours, CME crypto products close from Friday afternoon until Sunday evening. The shift will remove that weekend gap and align CME more closely with the round-the-clock activity seen across the digital asset market.

Tim McCourt, CME’s global head of equities, FX, and alternative products, said the change reflects growing demand from clients. He said always-on access will let users manage risk at any time while remaining within a regulated framework. McCourt said crypto markets often move sharply during weekends, and the new structure will allow institutional users to respond without delay.

Regulatory Support for Continuous Trading

CME said the schedule will be implemented pending a review from federal regulators. On stage at the World Liberty Forum, CFTC chair Mike Selig said nonstop trading is well-suited for digital assets. He said some traditional products, such as agricultural commodities, might not fit a 24/7 model, but crypto markets already operate with constant activity.

Selig said nonstop access is a practical and direct match for asset classes built on global demand. He called the concept a clear case for crypto markets and said the CFTC is prepared to support responsible structures. His comments were delivered at an event attended by major financial executives and senior policymakers.

The CFTC chair has also defended the agency’s jurisdiction in digital assets. In a recent editorial, he said the agency will continue to enforce rules for prediction markets and digital commodity platforms. His comments followed a series of state-level actions that challenged federal oversight.

Institutional Demand Behind CME’s Expansion

Crypto futures and options continue to set volume records at CME. The company reported $3 trillion in notional volume across those markets in 2025. CME said average daily volume for 2026 has grown 46 percent over the prior year. The shift to 24-7 trading is designed to match that growth with broader access.

CME said weekend trading from Friday through Sunday will be processed with a next-business-day timestamp. Clearing, settlement, and reporting will remain scheduled around business days. The company said this structure keeps operational controls while still giving users the ability to adjust positions at any time.

Institutional traders often face rapid swings in digital asset prices during weekends. Crypto markets do not rely on centralized exchange hours, and liquidity can move quickly. CME said the expanded schedule will help firms manage exposure immediately rather than waiting for Monday.

Wall Street Eyes its Own 24-7 Markets

CME’s move arrives as major stock exchanges consider similar plans. Executives from Nasdaq and the New York Stock Exchange said they are preparing for nonstop stock trading. Both said crypto’s open structure has influenced expectations for market access.

The NYSE is developing an on-chain platform for around-the-clock settlement of tokenized stocks. Nasdaq said full-time access is becoming a long-term objective for equity markets. The firms have not released firm timelines, but both cited user demand for extended hours.

If approved, CME’s nonstop schedule will mark one of the largest structural changes in regulated derivatives trading. The company said it will continue to adapt its crypto offerings as user demand grows. The shift positions CME to serve traders who expect digital markets to remain active at all hours.