CME Group plans to add futures tied to Cardano (ADA), Chainlink (LINK) and Stellar (XLM), targeting a Feb. 9, 2025 launch pending regulatory review. The exchange intends to offer both standard and micro-sized contracts for each asset so market participants can choose contract sizes that fit their needs. These products are proposed as additions to CME’s regulated cryptocurrency derivatives lineup and will be available on CME Globex once approved. The company noted continued client interest in regulated instruments as participation in crypto markets has broadened.
CME Group's Expansion into Crypto Futures
The announcement covers three new futures products that, if approved, will expand CME’s existing digital-asset offering. The planned launch date is Feb. 9, 2025, subject to regulatory sign-off, and trading access will be enabled via the CME Globex platform after approval. By listing both standard and micro contracts, CME aims to provide a range of sizing options for different trading and hedging approaches. These contracts are framed as tools to manage price exposure within a regulated marketplace.
Contract Specifications
Each new contract will come in a standard size and a smaller micro version to suit varying capital levels and strategies. The listed sizes are fixed in the product proposal and define how many underlying tokens each contract represents, making it easier for traders to assess exposure.
- Cardano (ADA): standard contract = 100,000 ADA; micro contract = 10,000 ADA.
- Chainlink (LINK): standard contract = 5,000 LINK; micro contract = 250 LINK.
- Stellar (XLM): standard contract = 250,000 XLM; micro contract = 12,500 XLM.
Industry Reactions
Giovanni Vicioso, CME Group’s global head of cryptocurrency products, said client demand for regulated instruments has grown as market participation widened. Market participants in the release also commented on the move: Bob Fitzsimmons of Wedbush Securities noted the continued development of regulated crypto futures, while Martin Franchi, chief executive of Ninjatrader, called the expansion an important step for futures traders seeking digital-asset exposure. These reactions underline industry interest in broader, exchange-traded derivatives for crypto assets.
Existing Crypto Offerings
The new ADA, LINK and XLM contracts are proposed to join CME’s existing suite, which already includes futures and options tied to bitcoin (BTC), ether (ETH), XRP and solana (SOL). The company reported record average daily volume and open interest across its crypto futures and options markets in 2025, reflecting heightened activity in its derivatives business. For more on CME’s prior listings and market activity, see the overview of XRP and SOL futures and the report on record trading volumes in 2025.
Regulatory and Trading Details
All three proposed contracts remain subject to regulatory review and will only trade on CME Globex after receiving approval from the relevant authorities. The regulatory review is the stated condition for the Feb. 9, 2025 target launch, and CME has framed the timeline as contingent on that approval process. Market access and final contract terms will be confirmed once regulators complete their review and the products are formally listed.
Why this matters
If you run mining equipment in Russia—whether a single rig or up to a thousand devices—the announcement does not change on-the-ground mining operations or costs by itself. However, the availability of regulated futures for ADA, LINK and XLM gives small and larger participants clearer tools to hedge price risk or take positions without relying solely on spot markets. The presence of micro contracts in particular can make futures-based risk management more accessible to traders with limited capital.
What to do?
Track the regulatory process and the Feb. 9, 2025 target date to know when contracts become tradeable on CME Globex. If you consider hedging mined coins, evaluate whether the standard or micro contract sizes match your exposure and capital; micro contracts may be more practical for modest holdings. Finally, check with your broker or trading platform for access to CME-listed crypto futures and ensure you understand margin, fees and reporting requirements before trading.
