Corporate Demand Sets New Records: Futures Trading Increases at CME

As volatility in the crypto markets has increased recently, demand for regulated crypto derivatives products within CME Group has also reached record levels. Ethereum, Solana, and XRP futures have drawn attention with their rising open interest. In the past two weeks, open positions have increased by 27 percent, reaching 9 billion dollars.

Data released by CME since October 10 indicates that there has been significant momentum in the crypto derivatives market. Following liquidation waves in offshore markets last week, the shift of large investors towards regulated platforms is considered the main reason for this increase. Open interest in Ethereum futures has reached 48,600 contracts, setting a new record. Additionally, Solana futures have reached 20,700 contracts, while XRP futures have hit 10,100 contracts, also reaching their historical highs.

Furthermore, options open positions have surpassed 9 billion dollars, achieving the largest volume in CME history. This data reveals that investors are beginning to prefer regulated products for hedging and speculation. According to a CME spokesperson, “The first 10 days of October witnessed the highest open position volumes in our history. This reflects the growing participation of professional investors and strong market confidence.”

According to CME’s third-quarter data, the total trading volume of crypto futures and options has exceeded 900 billion dollars, with average daily open positions at 31.3 billion dollars. In September, this figure had risen to 39 billion dollars. Thus, it has become clear that over 1,000 large investors are actively trading on the platform, and institutional participation is not limited to just Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Solana and XRP futures have rapidly gained popularity since their launch this year, marking the beginning of a new trend in institutional demand. As of September, open positions in Solana futures reached 2.1 billion dollars, while XRP futures reached 1.4 billion dollars. This indicates that institutional investors' interest in regulated crypto derivatives markets is on the rise.