CME Group, a prominent player in the derivatives market, has announced its intention to expand its offerings by launching futures contracts for three notable altcoins: Cardano (ADA), Chainlink (LINK), and Stellar (XLM). This new development is set to take place on February 9, subject to regulatory approval.
The introduction of these futures contracts signifies a strategic move by CME Group to broaden its cryptocurrency derivatives portfolio, which already includes futures for Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Solana. In a bid to cater to a diverse range of investors, the new contracts will be available in both standard and micro sizes, enabling participants to engage in larger positions or smaller, more cost-effective transactions.
According to the specifications released, the futures contracts will come in the following sizes: ADA futures will consist of 100,000 ADA with micro contracts set at 10,000 ADA; LINK futures will be offered in sizes of 5,000 LINK and micro contracts of 250 LINK; while XLM futures will include 250,000 Lumens with micro contracts at 12,500 Lumens.
This expansion arrives at a time when CME Group recorded significant volumes and open interest in cryptocurrency futures and options throughout 2025. Despite a surge in interest for regulated digital asset products early in the year, the momentum experienced a slowdown towards the end. Notably, December marked a downturn for Bitcoin futures, where both volume and open interest saw sharp declines.
Giovanni Vicioso, Head of Global Crypto Products at CME Group, highlighted the rapid evolution of the cryptocurrency market over the past year. He emphasized that investors are increasingly seeking trustworthy and regulated products to manage price volatility and gain exposure in this fast-paced environment. Vicioso expressed confidence that the new micro and standard contracts will enhance flexibility and capital efficiency for investors.
Industry reactions to this announcement have been largely positive. Bob Fitzsimmons, Vice President at Wedbush Securities, underscored the importance of maturing regulated crypto futures products for the sector. Martin Franchi, CEO of NinjaTrader, referred to this initiative as a transformative moment for the futures industry, while Justin Young, CEO of Volatility Shares, noted that the availability of more regulated products is vital for effective risk management.
CME Group”s key statistics for 2025 revealed that the average daily volume in crypto futures and options hit a record high of 278,300 contracts, equating to approximately $12 billion in nominal value. Additionally, the average open interest reached a historic figure of 313,900 contracts, valued at $26.4 billion. Options also marked significant milestones, with an average daily volume of 4,100 contracts and an average open interest of 60,400 contracts.
This latest move by CME Group not only reflects the growing interest in alternative cryptocurrencies but also reinforces the necessity for structured trading environments in the evolving digital asset landscape.
