CME Plans 24/7 Trading for Crypto Futures Ahead of Solana XRP Debut

CME Group plans to introduce 24/7 trading for its cryptocurrency futures and options, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, starting in early 2026, with Solana and XRP options launching in October 2025. This move responds to growing client demand for continuous crypto trading and marks a significant alignment with the round-the-clock nature of crypto markets, despite a weekly maintenance window. Solana and XRP futures have rapidly gained institutional traction on CME, each surpassing $1 billion in open interest much faster than Bitcoin and Ethereum futures did, signaling strong investor confidence. Overall crypto futures open interest on CME has doubled year-over-year, reaching $30 to $35 billion daily, driven not only by Bitcoin but also by emerging products like Solana and XRP. Market activity indicates increasing integration of cryptocurrencies into traditional finance, facilitated by regulatory collaboration and institutional adoption. This trend highlights the growing significance of crypto derivatives as a regulated avenue for exposure to digital assets.