CME Exchange Considers 24/7 Crypto Trading Amid Meme Coin Competition

CME Group is exploring round-the-clock trading for its cryptocurrency derivatives, aligning with the continuous nature of digital asset markets. The exchange remains selective, focusing on coins with clear utility—recently introducing Solana and XRP futures while avoiding meme coins.

Solana futures, launched in March, have seen nearly $5 billion in trading volume, with daily activity between $75 million and $100 million. XRP futures, introduced in May, approach $2 billion in cumulative volume, peaking at $235 million in a single day. Both products currently operate during traditional market hours.

Meanwhile, asset managers like VanEck and 21Shares are venturing into riskier territory with spot exchange-traded products tied to speculative assets such as Dogecoin and the TRUMP token. "We build instruments for portfolio construction, not speculation," stated CME's crypto chief Gio Vicioso, emphasizing the exchange's utility-driven approach over meme coin trends.