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CME Group Announces Launch of Ether Futures

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CME Group has launched Ether futures, enhancing its crypto derivatives portfolio amid rising institutional demand. The new contract provides clients with a regulated platform to hedge Ether positions or gain exposure to the asset class. This addition follows the successful introduction of Bitcoin futures in 2017. The CME CF Ether-Dollar Reference Rate will underpin the cash-settled Ether futures. As institutions increasingly favor exchange-listed crypto derivatives, CME Group aims to facilitate their entry into this growing market.

Positive
  • Launch of Ether futures may attract institutional investors to crypto derivatives.
  • Expands CME's offerings in the growing cryptocurrency market.
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CHICAGO, Feb. 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CME Group, the world's leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace, today launched Ether futures, further expanding its crypto derivatives offerings in this emerging asset class.

"As institutional demand for transparent, exchange-listed crypto derivatives continues to increase, we are pleased to launch our new Ether futures contract," said Tim McCourt, CME Group Global Head of Equity Index and Alternative Investment Products. "The addition of Ether, along with our liquid Bitcoin futures and options, will create new opportunities for a broad array of clients, whether they are looking to hedge ether positions in the spot market or gain exposure to this cryptocurrency on a regulated derivatives marketplace."

"Just like in other capital markets, derivatives have become the avenue of choice for institutions to access cryptocurrencies," said Sui Chung, CEO of CF Benchmarks. "Our status as a U.K. FCA regulated benchmark provider, whose compliance is regularly audited by Deloitte, gives institutions further confidence to enter the cryptocurrency space via the CME Ether futures contact based on our CME CF Ether-Dollar Reference Rate. For the first time, investors can gain exposure to the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap via a U.S.-regulated futures contract. Just as Bitcoin futures paved the way for institutions to enter the crypto market in 2017, so CME Ether futures will allow CME Group clients to gain even greater exposure to the asset class."

"CME Group has been an integral participant in the continued institutionalization of this asset class, and the launch of Ether futures is yet another milestone," said Michael Moro, CEO of Genesis Global Trading Inc. "Genesis is excited to continue to work closely with CME in this effort." 

"The launch of CME Ether futures is an exciting addition to the digital assets ecosystem as it evidences the ongoing maturation of the asset class as a whole," said Michael Sonnenshein, CEO of Grayscale Investments. "At Grayscale Investments, we've seen enormous growth in investor interest for Ethereum and we're excited to see the growing list of financial product offerings expanding access to digital currencies."

CME Ether futures are cash-settled, based on the CME CF Ether-Dollar Reference Rate, which serves as a once-a-day reference rate of the U.S. dollar price of Ether. Ether futures are listed on and subject to the rules of CME.

For more information on this product, please visit www.cmegroup.com/etherfutures.

As the world's leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace, CME Group (www.cmegroup.com) enables clients to trade futures, options, cash and OTC markets, optimize portfolios, and analyze data – empowering market participants worldwide to efficiently manage risk and capture opportunities. CME Group exchanges offer the widest range of global benchmark products across all major asset classes based on interest ratesequity indexesforeign exchangeenergyagricultural products and metals. The company offers futures and options on futures trading through the CME Globex® platform, fixed income trading via BrokerTec and foreign exchange trading on the EBS platform. In addition, it operates one of the world's leading central counterparty clearing providers, CME Clearing. With a range of pre- and post-trade products and services underpinning the entire lifecycle of a trade, CME Group also offers optimization and reconciliation services through TriOptima, and trade processing services through Traiana.

CME Group, the Globe logo, CME, Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Globex, and, E-mini are trademarks of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc.  CBOT and Chicago Board of Trade are trademarks of Board of Trade of the City of Chicago, Inc.  NYMEX, New York Mercantile Exchange and ClearPort are trademarks of New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc.  COMEX is a trademark of Commodity Exchange, Inc. BrokerTec, EBS, TriOptima, and Traiana are trademarks of BrokerTec Europe LTD, EBS Group LTD, TriOptima AB, and Traiana, Inc., respectively. Dow Jones, Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and S&P are service and/or trademarks of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC, Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and S&P/Dow Jones Indices LLC, as the case may be, and have been licensed for use by Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc.  All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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Investor Contact

Chris Grams, 312.930.3435

John Peschier, 312.930.8491

Matt Southerlan, 312.622.8951

CME-G

news@cmegroup.com 


www.cmegroup.mediaroom.com 


 

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SOURCE CME Group

FAQ

When did CME Group launch Ether futures?

CME Group launched Ether futures on February 8, 2021.

What is the significance of CME Ether futures?

CME Ether futures provide a regulated avenue for institutions to access the second-largest cryptocurrency.

How does CME Ether futures function?

CME Ether futures are cash-settled based on the CME CF Ether-Dollar Reference Rate.

What demand is driving the launch of Ether futures by CME?

There is increasing institutional demand for transparent, exchange-listed crypto derivatives.

What prior product did CME Group introduce before Ether futures?

CME Group previously launched Bitcoin futures in 2017.

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