CME Group Launches Nasdaq CME Crypto Index Futures Tracking BTC, ETH and SOL

TLDR:

• CME’s new crypto futures track eight major cryptocurrencies through a single benchmark index product.
• The settlement index currently includes BTC, BCH, ETH, SOL, XRP, ADA, LINK and XLM.
• Contracts settle in cash, removing the need to hold underlying crypto assets directly.
• Nasdaq supplied the benchmark while CME provides regulated futures market access.

CME Group has launched Nasdaq CME Crypto Index Futures, adding a new regulated product tied to a broad basket of digital assets. 

The contracts track the Nasdaq CME Crypto Settlement Price Index, which includes eight of the largest cryptocurrencies by market value and trading activity. The move expands CME’s growing digital asset marketplace beyond single-asset futures products. 

Trading has already begun, giving market participants another way to gain diversified crypto exposure.

Nasdaq CME Crypto Index Futures Begin Trading

The new futures contracts settle in cash against the Nasdaq CME Crypto Settlement Price Index. CME Group announced the launch on June 10 through an official press release.

As of June 9, the benchmark includes Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, Cardano, Chainlink, and Stellar. The index aims to reflect the performance of major cryptocurrencies with substantial market activity.

According to CME Group, the contracts provide exposure to multiple digital assets through a single regulated futures product. The exchange said investors increasingly seek broader crypto market access while maintaining familiar trading infrastructure.

The launch marks another expansion of CME’s cryptocurrency derivatives business. CME already offers futures products tied to Bitcoin and Ethereum, alongside other digital asset offerings.

CME stated that the contracts can serve several functions, including portfolio hedging and market exposure. Because the contracts settle financially, traders do not need to hold the underlying cryptocurrencies.

Nasdaq contributed the benchmark infrastructure behind the product. The company said demand for transparent and governed crypto benchmarks continues to grow as institutional participation increases.

Crypto Market Access Expands Through Regulated Futures

The index composition highlights the increasing diversity of institutional crypto products. While Bitcoin and Ethereum remain core holdings, the benchmark also includes several large-cap alternative cryptocurrencies.

Giovanni Vicioso, CME Group’s Global Head of Cryptocurrency Products, said the contracts represent a new stage in the development of the exchange’s regulated digital asset marketplace. He noted that market participants continue to seek efficient tools for managing crypto exposure during volatile conditions.

Nasdaq’s Head of Index Product Management, Sean Wasserman, said benchmark-based frameworks have become increasingly important as digital asset participation expands. He described futures linked to the index as a natural extension of that trend.

Hashdex also welcomed the launch. The firm’s U.S. chief executive officer, Mick McLaughlin, said the product reflects the ongoing integration of digital assets with traditional financial infrastructure.

The launch arrives as regulated crypto investment products continue to attract attention from institutions. Index-based products have become a common structure across traditional markets, allowing investors to track broad segments through a single benchmark.

By combining eight cryptocurrencies into one settlement index, Nasdaq CME Crypto Index Futures introduce a broader approach than single-asset crypto derivatives. The product now offers exposure to several major digital assets through one regulated contract traded on CME’s marketplace.