CME Launches Overnight Crypto Derivatives Trading

May 28, 2026

The CME Group will enable around-the-clock trading of cryptocurrency futures and options on its Globex exchange in response to investor demand.

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Citing investor demand, the CME Group will offer trading of their suite of cryptocurrency options and futures on the CME Globex exchange 24 hours per day, seven days per week beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET on May 29, 2026. One small exception to 24/7 availability: There will be a maintenance period from 5:00 p.m. to 5:02 p.m. ET each weekday and a two-hour maintenance period every weekend.

The move brings trading of crypto futures and options more in line with the spot crypto market, which already trades around the clock.

Schwab customers with futures-approved trading accounts will be able to take advantage of the new trading hours on some of these products as soon as they launch.

Most crypto trading takes place during traditional U.S. and European trading hours. Because of thinner liquidity, price moves during overnight hours can be more volatile, leaving traders with positions in crypto derivatives exposed to big moves while that market is closed. The CME's around-the-clock crypto derivatives trading might help traders manage that risk.

Some traders are also looking to capture price moves that take place during non-U.S. trading hours.

The CME said the volume of trading in crypto derivatives continues to set record highs. The average daily volume of crypto futures contracts had topped more than 400,000 as of February, an increase of nearly 50% from a year earlier.

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Virtual Currency Derivatives trading involves unique and significant risks. Please read NFA Investor Advisory – Futures on Virtual Currencies Including Bitcoin and CFTC Customer Advisory: Understand the Risk of Virtual Currency Trading.

You should carefully consider whether trading in virtual currency derivatives is appropriate for you in light of your experience, objectives, financial resources, and other relevant circumstances.

Please note that virtual currency is a digital representation of value that functions as a medium of exchange, a unit of account, or a store of value, but it does not have legal tender status. Virtual currencies are sometimes exchanged for U.S. dollars or other currencies around the world, but they are not currently backed nor supported by any government or central bank. Their value is completely derived by market forces of supply and demand, and they are more volatile than traditional fiat currencies. Profits and losses related to this volatility are amplified in margined futures contracts.

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