Nasdaq and CME Reintroduce Crypto Index to Attract Institutional Capital
Written by Ohris M. Greyoon, Blockchain & Crypto Expert
Source: Coinmarketcap
Updated: Jan 10 2026- Institutional Benchmark Relaunch: On January 8, 2026, Nasdaq and CME reintroduced the Nasdaq CME Crypto Index (NCI™) to provide institutional investors with a transparent and reliable benchmark for digital asset investments, thereby facilitating the development of ETFs and derivatives to meet the urgent market demand for transparency.
- Strategic Collaboration: This partnership not only underscores Nasdaq CEO Adena Friedman's emphasis on the need for transparent benchmarks but also showcases CME CEO Terry Duffy's confidence in enhancing crypto derivatives and investment products, marking a strategic positioning for both companies in the digital asset space.
- Positive Market Reaction: The market reacted positively to this announcement, viewing it as a significant step towards increasing institutional participation in crypto assets, with CME's Giovanni Vicioso noting that the index will enable diversified portfolio construction, further enhancing market stability.
- Bitcoin Market Dynamics: As of January 10, 2026, Bitcoin (BTC) has a market cap of $1.81 trillion, representing 58.52% market dominance, despite a 14.11% drop in trading volume; however, the relaunch of this index may attract more regulated investment products, driving growth in institutional investments.
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.
