Key Takeaways:
- CME Group will launch XRP futures contracts on May 19, offering both micro (2,500 XRP) and standard (50,000 XRP) cash-settled options.
- This marks CME’s official entry into XRP derivatives after a brief, unconfirmed listing in January 2025.
- The move aligns with a broader trend of rising institutional interest, with over 70 crypto ETF applications currently awaiting SEC review.
The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Group has announced it will launch XRP futures contracts starting May 19.
This move marks a significant step toward the growing acceptance of digital assets in traditional finance.
CME Group today announced plans to launch XRP futures on May 19, pending regulatory review. Market participants will have the choice to trade both a micro-sized contract (2,500 XRP) and a larger-sized contract (50,000 XRP). XRP futures will join the company's crypto product suite…
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) April 24, 2025
Investors will have the option to trade micro contracts of 2,500 XRP or standard contracts of 50,000 XRP, all of which will be cash-settled, with no physical delivery of the token.
The official confirmation comes after a brief, unconfirmed listing of XRP futures on CME’s website in January 2025, which had sparked speculation at the time.
This addition to CME’s offerings reflects increasing institutional interest in cryptocurrency-based financial instruments.
The announcement comes amid a surge of crypto-related product developments in the U.S. financial market.
Over 70 cryptocurrency ETF applications, including those for XRP, Litecoin, Solana, and even meme-based tokens, are currently under review by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Industry analyst Eric Balchunas noted the trend’s diversity, predicting a dynamic year for crypto investments.
The introduction of XRP futures is expected to further legitimize and expand crypto’s role in regulated financial markets.