CME Group grows its list of Cryptocurrency offerings with Ethereum Option Contracts.

Chicago-based derivatives trading giant CME Group has announced the launch of Ethereum options. According to Tim McCourt, global head of equity and FX products, the new product was launched due to rapidly growing interest in Ethereum options. Ethereum options will make it possible for traders to manage their exposure ahead of the upcoming Merge event, which is widely expected to bring more volatility to the market. In February, CME Group launched Ethereum futures, kicking the bull market into a higher gear. McCourt has noted that Ethereum futures have managed to record a 43% year-over-year increase in trading volume. Leon Marshall, global head of sales at global cryptocurrency trading firm Genesis, says that Ether options will be a great hedging tool for traders who will have to consider various price risks ahead of the high-stakes Merge event. The Chicago-based derivatives marketplace announced the launch of Ether options back in September. CME also launched euro-denominated Ether and Bitcoin futures in late August to meet greater institutional demand. In January 2020, CME Group launched Bitcoin options. Related Ripple Lawsuit: John Deaton Discusses Two Crucial Aspects That Could Speed up Settlement The derivatives giant dived into the cryptocurrency market back in late December 2017. Fast forward to September, and CME Group surpassed crypto-native exchanges in terms of Bitcoin futures trading volume. Last year, CME also launched micro versions of Bitcoin and Ethereum futures.

A full list by the CME group currently available for trading cryptocurrency is Bitcoin futures & options contracts, Micro Bitcoin Futures, Ether futures & options contracts, Micro Ether futures, and Micro Cryptocurrency options. Can also use the CME group to get enhanced pricing information with standardized reference rates and spot price indices developed by CME Group and CF Benchmarks. CME is continuing to push forward the digital space by offering more products the traditional markets are used to which is only getting more institutional money involved in trading the assets and creating liquidity. We are just at the beginning of this space and when more clarifications come from the SEC, Congress, and other enforcement figures within the financial space things will expand even faster.