CME Group Achieves Record Cryptocurrency Derivatives Trading in 2025 with 278,000 Daily Contracts
Written by Ohris M. Greyoon, Blockchain & Crypto Expert
Source: Coinmarketcap
Updated: Jan 05 2026- Surge in Trading Volume: CME Group reported a 139% increase in average daily trading volume for cryptocurrency derivatives in 2025, reaching 278,000 contracts valued at approximately $12 billion, indicating strong institutional demand for compliant crypto trading instruments and reinforcing CME's market leadership.
- Micro Contracts Driving Growth: Micro Ether futures averaged 144,000 contracts daily, Micro Bitcoin futures reached 75,000 contracts, and standard Ether futures hit 19,000 contracts, demonstrating that smaller-sized contracts provide retail and institutional traders with lower capital entry points, thereby enhancing market participation.
- Strong Quarterly Performance: The fourth quarter of 2025 saw average daily trading volume soar to a record 379,000 contracts, representing $13.3 billion in notional value, with December alone recording 339,000 contracts, reflecting sustained demand and active participation from institutional investors.
- Market Structure Shift: CME surpassed Binance in Bitcoin futures open interest, signaling a structural shift towards regulated venues, which reflects the migration of institutional capital from unregulated offshore exchanges to compliant derivatives markets, further promoting professional risk management of crypto assets.
About the author
Ohris M. Greyoon
Ohris M. Greyoon holds a Master’s in Computer Science from MIT and has 10 years of experience in blockchain technology and cryptocurrency markets. A pioneer in decentralized finance (DeFi) analysis, he leads Intellectia’s Crypto News, offering cutting-edge insights into digital assets.
