XRP Soars to #3 as CME Futures Go Live—Wall Street Finally Notices Crypto’s ‘Problem Child’
Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) just lit the fuse: XRP futures contracts launched today, catapulting Ripple’s embattled token past stablecoins into third place by market cap.
Traders ditch ‘safe’ bets for volatility plays
The move signals institutional appetite for risk—or at least a hunger for the 20% price spike that followed the announcement. Meanwhile, Bitcoin maximalists grumble about ‘regulatory pets’ getting preferential treatment.
The real winner? Lawyers.
With the SEC lawsuit still looming, these contracts give hedge funds a shiny new way to gamble on legal outcomes. Because nothing says ‘mature asset class’ like betting on courtroom drama.
CME’s Dual Strategy for XRP Futures
The global exchange giant, CME Group, is introducing two distinct contracts for XRP futures, catering to both individual and institutional investors. Micro contracts will trade at a size of 2,500 XRP, while standard contracts will be at 50,000 XRP. Micro contracts focus on risk management for small investors with lower margin requirements, while standard contracts offer liquidity and narrow spread advantages. Both products will be cash-settled, eliminating the need for physical token delivery.
This move by CME Group aligns with the increasing institutional involvement in the digital asset ecosystem. Giovanni Vicioso, CME’s Global Head of cryptocurrency Products, emphasized that the new contracts aim to provide capital efficiency to investors and assist them in optimizing their strategies. This initiative is a step towards strengthening XRP’s acceptance in the financial markets.
Rise Under ETF Rumors and Technical Errors
Recent price movements in XRP have been attributed to circulating rumors about potential ETF (exchange-traded fund) approvals. The surge in ETF applications in recent months reignited investors’ interest in XRP. However, experts believe that the launch of futures could stabilize price fluctuations.
CME’s decision comes after a technical glitch in January, where the platform mistakenly announced XRP and SOL futures on its website, causing brief chaos. Bloomberg analyst James Seyffart commented on the mistake as “anticipated.” The official launch of the new products received a positive reception from market participants.
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