CME Group to Launch Ether Futures Before Merger

CME, one of the largest derivatives markets, plans to launch Ether futures options on September 12th, subject to regulatory approval.

Since the release of the new product, 1.8 million Ether futures contracts have been traded on CME Group’s exchanges.
As the highly anticipated Ethereum Merge nears, Tim McCourt, Global Head of Equity and FX Products at the company, observed a growing demand for Ether price risk management. In a statement, the executive added,

“We are introducing these new options contracts in addition to the existing Ether futures, which have traded over 1.8 million contracts to date.”

There is a significant chunk of Ether options activity conducted via OTC desks.
Alternatively, the new Ether options from CME will offer clients greater flexibility and more “precision” in managing investors’ exposure to the cryptocurrency ahead of market moving events.
Derivatives markets already offer Bitcoin options. In 2017, it introduced BTC futures, and four years later, it introduced ETH futures.
Additionally, the company offered micro-sized Bitcoin and Ethereum options earlier this year, citing growing investor demand.
CME Group will be supported by TP ICAP’s Digital Assets Head of Brokering Sam Newman in the rollout of full-sized Ether options contracts, Newman said.