just now
CME Group has launched Nasdaq CME Crypto Index futures, offering investors regulated, diversified exposure to the cryptocurrency market through financially settled contracts tied to the Nasdaq CME Crypto Settlement Price Index.
The index, as of 9 June, comprises bitcoin, bitcoin cash, ether, SOL, XRP, ADA, LINK, and lumens, representing some of the largest and most actively traded cryptocurrencies.
The contracts are financially settled to the value of the index at expiration and are listed on and subject to the rules of CME.
Giovanni Vicioso, Global Head of Cryptocurrency Products, CME Group said:
"With trading now officially underway, our new Nasdaq CME Crypto Index futures represent a major milestone in the expansion of our regulated digital asset marketplace. In today's volatile markets, investors are increasingly seeking diversified exposure to the cryptocurrency ecosystem while retaining the capital efficiencies and transparency of a regulated futures marketplace. These contracts give clients a cost-efficient tool to hedge their risk or directly pursue broad-based crypto opportunities."
Nasdaq, which provides the underlying index, highlighted the growing institutional appetite for governance-driven digital asset benchmarks.
Sean Wasserman, Head of Index Product Management, Nasdaq
Sean Wasserman, Head of Index Product Management, Nasdaq commented:
"As investor participation in digital assets continues to grow, so does demand for benchmarks built with the same governance and transparency expected in other asset classes. Futures linked to the index are a natural extension of how index-based frameworks support market development."
Mick McLaughlin, U.S. Chief Executive Officer and Head of Global Distribution
Mick McLaughlin, U.S. Chief Executive Officer and Head of Global Distribution, Hashdex Asset Management also added:
Hashdex Asset Management, which has been focused on institutional-grade digital asset access since 2018, also commented on the significance of the launch.
"The launch of NCI futures is another sign of crypto's maturation and its ongoing intersection with traditional financial market infrastructure. Since 2018, our goal has been to provide investors institutional-quality access to digital assets in the same way they access other asset classes. Today's announcement advances our vision, and represents a meaningful step in allowing investors and advisors to proactively manage and hedge crypto portfolios through a regulated and index-oriented approach."
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