Derivatives Giant CME Group to Launch Bitcoin Futures Contract

Derivatives marketplace operator CME Group has announced plans to launch a bitcoin futures product.

AccessTimeIconOct 31, 2017 at 1:52 p.m. UTC
Updated Aug 18, 2021 at 7:20 p.m. UTC

Presented By Icon

Election 2024 coverage presented by

Stand with crypto

Derivatives marketplace operator CME Group has announced plans to launch a bitcoin futures product in the fourth quarter of this year.

Though the exact release date has yet to be revealed, CME said that the futures would be settled via cash and based on its CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate, an index it debuted in Nov. 2016 in partnership with London-based Crypto Facilities. The futures would be listed on CME, the company said.

  • Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
    13:18
    Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
  • Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
    05:10
    Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
  • The first video of the year 2024
    04:07
    The first video of the year 2024
  • The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
    40:07
    The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
  • Terry Duffy, CME Group chairman and CEO, said in a statement:

    "Given increasing client interest in the evolving cryptocurrency markets, we have decided to introduce a bitcoin futures contract. As the world's largest regulated FX marketplace, CME Group is the natural home for this new vehicle that will provide investors with transparency, price discovery and risk transfer capabilities."

    According to the company, the launch is contingent on receiving approval from U.S. regulators. As previously reported, recent efforts to create financial products around the cryptocurrency have hit some headwinds, particularly those that involve the creation of derivatives contracts.

    That said, startups like LedgerX – which is licensed as both a swap execution facility and a derivatives clearing organization – have already moved to capture some of the interest and demand in these products. Established firms such as CBOE are seeking to list similar derivatives as well.

    Disclosure: CME Group is an investor in Digital Currency Group, CoinDesk's parent company.

    Image via Shutterstock

    Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information have been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk has adopted a set of principles aimed at ensuring the integrity, editorial independence and freedom from bias of its publications. CoinDesk is part of the Bullish group, which owns and invests in digital asset businesses and digital assets. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive Bullish group equity-based compensation. Bullish was incubated by technology investor Block.one.


    Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.