CME to launch BTC, ETH spot-quoted futures for retail investors
The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) is set to introduce Spot-Quoted futures for leading cryptocurrencies Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), along with top equity indices, on June 30, 2025.
Expanding futures offerings for retail investors
CME Group, a major derivatives marketplace, aims to expand market access by targeting retail investors with these spot-quoted futures.
- The planned launch is currently pending regulatory approval, with CME positioning it as an opportunity for traders to engage with crypto and equity index futures at spot market prices.
- If approved, these contracts will cover S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Russell 2000, alongside BTC and ETH, broadening retail participation in futures trading.
Benefits of spot-quoted futures
According to Tim McCourt, CME’s global head of equities, FX, and alternative products, the introduction of spot-quoted futures is in response to rising investor demand.
- These futures will enable greater trading flexibility, allowing retail traders to maintain long-term positions or freely enter and exit trades without the need for frequent contract rollovers.
- Designed for capital efficiency, these contracts will be smaller-sized, making them more accessible to retail investors while still offering the benefits of traditional futures trading.
A more precise and cost-effective trading solution
CME emphasizes that spot-quoted futures share structural similarities with perpetual contracts, but with added market precision and accessibility.
- According to Steve Sanders, EVP of marketing and product development at Interactive Brokers, these futures offer direct trading at spot levels while still benefiting from the margin advantages of futures contracts.
- Traders can hold positions for up to five years, giving them greater flexibility in executing their strategies while optimizing cost efficiency.
CME’s continued expansion in crypto futures
CME has been consistently growing its crypto derivatives offerings, with previous launches including euro-denominated micro Bitcoin and Ethereum futures in February 2024.
- This followed the successful introduction of U.S. dollar-denominated micro BTC and ETH futures in May and December 2021.
- More recently, CME expanded its crypto futures lineup by launching Solana (SOL) futures, further solidifying its commitment to digital asset markets.
