CME Group Launches 24/7 Crypto Futures Trading, Ends Weekend Gaps
CME•XRP jumped 1.8% to $1.30, leading crypto majors while Bitcoin dipped 0.2% before CME Group’s 24/7 trading launch for its crypto futures and options suite. The move, with a two-hour Saturday maintenance window, ends weekend shutdowns and CME gaps, potentially boosting liquidity across Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana and others.
1. 24/7 Trading Rollout
Starting after Friday’s close, CME Globex will offer round-the-clock trading for its entire suite of cryptocurrency futures and options, with only a two-hour maintenance window each Saturday.
2. End of Weekend Shutdowns and Gaps
The schedule change removes the traditional weekend shutdown that created price gaps between CME futures and continuously traded spot markets, eliminating the closely watched CME gaps.
3. XRP Outperformance
Ahead of the launch, XRP rose 1.8% to $1.30 while Bitcoin dipped 0.2% to around $73,200; Ethereum and Solana also saw modest gains on heightened pre-launch trading.
4. Market Implications
Continuous trading could boost liquidity, narrow bid-ask spreads and reshape trading strategies across Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Avalanche and other CME crypto products.
