CME Group to Launch Avalanche and Sui Futures on May 4, Expand Crypto Trading to 24/7 on May 29

CME Group, the world’s largest derivatives marketplace, announced on April 7, 2026 that it will launch Avalanche (AVAX) and Sui (SUI) futures on May 4, pending regulatory review, and will make all cryptocurrency futures and options available for 24/7 trading beginning May 29.

The expansion includes both micro-sized and larger-sized contracts for each token, with March average daily volume in CME’s crypto complex up 19% year-over-year to nearly $8 billion in average notional value traded daily.

AVAX and SUI Futures Join CME’s Expanding Crypto Derivatives Suite

CME Group will offer both standard and micro-sized futures for Avalanche and Sui. AVAX futures will be sized at 5,000 AVAX, with micro AVAX futures at 500 AVAX. SUI futures will be sized at 50,000 SUI, with micro SUI futures at 5,000 SUI. The new contracts add to CME’s rapidly growing cryptocurrency derivatives offerings, which recently launched Cardano, Chainlink, and Stellar futures.

Giovanni Vicioso, CME Group Global Head of Cryptocurrency Products, stated that the new micro- and larger-sized futures will provide clients with greater choice, enhanced flexibility, and more capital efficiencies across the deeply liquid, regulated crypto derivatives complex. He noted that market participants continue to turn to CME’s markets to manage risk and pursue opportunities.

CME Group first entered the cryptocurrency derivatives market with Bitcoin futures in 2017, followed by Ether futures in 2021. The company now provides access to over 75% of the crypto market capitalization, offering products tied to BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, ADA, LINK, and XLM. According to CME Group, average daily open interest in its cryptocurrency suite reached nearly $25 billion in 2025.

24/7 Crypto Derivatives Trading Begins May 29

Beginning May 29, 2026, all CME Group cryptocurrency futures and options will be available for trading 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The move aligns the regulated, centrally cleared U.S. marketplace with crypto-native exchanges such as Binance Futures, which already offer round-the-clock trading.

Late last year, Coinbase Derivatives announced non-stop trading for its altcoin perpetual-style futures after initially unveiling 24/7 Bitcoin and Ethereum futures trading in May 2025. For some venues, adding 24/7 crypto trading serves as a testing ground to determine whether the offering could extend to traditional asset classes, a topic of ongoing debate. Tim McCourt, CME’s global head of equities, previously stated that not all markets lend themselves to operating 24/7, despite clear demand for around-the-clock cryptocurrency trading.

Crypto-native exchanges including Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken are also working to introduce stock trading with blockchain features, though rollouts have been gradual and not yet global. Blockchain-based perpetuals exchanges such as Hyperliquid, Lighter, and Aster offer crypto derivatives that trade at any time.

Industry Support for Expanded Crypto Derivatives Access

Industry participants welcomed CME Group’s continued expansion. Justin Young, CEO and Co-founder of Volatility Shares, stated that CME’s expansion reflects growing demand for regulated, institutionally-sound products, adding that a deeper, more accessible marketplace benefits all participants from institutional hedgers to individual investors. Isaac Cahana, CEO of Plus500US, said the new contracts further broaden access for global customers, allowing them to participate in evolving markets with greater flexibility and improved capital efficiency.

CME Group is also working to launch what appears to be a quasi-stablecoin for use as on-exchange collateral, following the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s acceptance of certain cryptocurrencies as collateral in derivatives markets.

FAQ

What new cryptocurrency futures is CME Group launching and when?

CME Group plans to launch Avalanche (AVAX) and Sui (SUI) futures on May 4, 2026, pending regulatory review. Both standard-sized contracts (5,000 AVAX and 50,000 SUI) and micro-sized contracts (500 AVAX and 5,000 SUI) will be available.

When will CME Group offer 24/7 crypto derivatives trading?

Beginning May 29, 2026, all CME Group cryptocurrency futures and options will be available for trading 24 hours a day, seven days a week, aligning the regulated marketplace with crypto-native exchanges that already offer round-the-clock trading.

How has CME Group’s crypto derivatives business performed recently?

CME Group reported March average daily volume up 19% year-over-year, with nearly $8 billion in average notional value traded daily. Average daily open interest in its cryptocurrency suite reached nearly $25 billion in 2025.