CME Group to Expand Crypto Derivatives Offering with Launch of Cardano, Chainlink, Stellar Futures
CME Group, the world's derivatives marketplace, has revealed plans to introduce futures contracts tied to three cryptocurrencies: Cardano (ADA), Chainlink (LINK), and Stellar Lumens (XLM). This expansion aims to meet demand from investors seeking regulated tools for managing risk and gaining exposure in the volatile crypto space. The offerings are set to debut on February 9, 2026, subject to necessary regulatory approvals, further solidifying CME's position as a key player in cryptocurrency derivatives. The initiative
CME Group, the world’s derivatives marketplace, has revealed plans to introduce futures contracts tied to three cryptocurrencies: Cardano (ADA), Chainlink (LINK), and Stellar Lumens (XLM). This expansion aims to meet demand from investors seeking regulated tools for managing risk and gaining exposure in the volatile crypto space. The offerings are set to debut on February 9, 2026, subject to necessary regulatory approvals, further solidifying CME’s position as a key player in cryptocurrency derivatives.
The initiative includes both standard and micro-sized contracts, designed to cater to a diverse range of traders by enhancing flexibility and optimizing capital use.
For Cardano, the standard futures will represent 100,000 ADA units, while the micro version covers 10,000 ADA.
Chainlink contracts will feature 5,000 LINK in the larger size and 250 LINK in the micro format.
Meanwhile, Stellar Lumens futures will encompass 250,000 XLM for the full contract and 12,500 XLM for the smaller one.
These structures allow participants to scale their positions according to their risk appetite and investment strategies, making crypto trading more approachable for both institutional and retail users.
Industry experts have hailed this development as a step toward mainstream adoption of digital currencies.
Giovanni Vicioso, Global Head of Cryptocurrency Products at CME Group, emphasized the surge in crypto’s popularity over the past year, noting that clients are increasingly turning to secure, overseen products to navigate market fluctuations.
He highlighted how these additions provide varied options for efficiency in capital deployment.
Bob Fitzsimmons from Wedbush Securities echoed this sentiment, pointing out the maturation of regulated crypto instruments and his firm’s commitment to supporting such innovations for all client types.
Martin Franchi, CEO of NinjaTrader, described the announcement as a pivotal moment, underscoring the integration of digital assets into broader investment portfolios and the creation of new entry points for traders.
Similarly, Justin Young of Volatility Shares acknowledged CME for becoming a key player in this area, expressing enthusiasm for the expanded lineup of reliable financial tools.
This launch builds on CME Group’s established cryptocurrency portfolio, which already includes futures and options for Bitcoin, Ether, XRP, and Solana.
The exchange’s crypto segment saw unprecedented activity in 2025, with average daily volumes reaching 278,300 contracts—equivalent to about $12 billion in notional value—and open interest averaging 313,900 contracts, or $26.4 billion notionally.
Futures alone accounted for 272,200 contracts daily ($11.7 billion notional), while options hit 4,100 contracts per day ($231 million notional).
These figures reflect a robust appetite for hedged crypto exposure amid economic uncertainties and technological advancements.
By giving investors exposure to web3 ecosystems such as Cardano’s smart contract capabilities, Chainlink’s oracle networks for real-world data integration, and Stellar’s focus on cross-border payments, CME is addressing key sectors within the blockchain space.
This not only diversifies hedging opportunities but also signals confidence in these altcoins‘ long-term viability.
As regulatory landscapes evolve, such products could attract more traditional finance players, bridging the gap between conventional markets and decentralized finance.
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