CME to launch BTC, ETH spot-quoted futures for retail investors

The Chicago Mercantile Exchange plans to roll out Spot-Quoted futures for top cryptocurrencies Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as top equity indices on June 30, 2025.

The CME Group, a leading derivatives marketplace, says the spot-quoted futures will target retail investors and be available as from June 30.

Notably, CME is looking at spot-quoted futures positions for the world’s top cryptocurrencies by market cap Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), it noted, with this offering pending regulatory review.

If approved, the CME Group’s latest product will also allow retail investors access to futures contracts for the S&P 500, Nasdaq 100,Dow Jones Industrial Average and Russell 2000. Spot-Quoted futures across the crypto and stock positions will allow investors to tap into trading opportunities for futures at spot market prices.

According to Tim McCourt, global head of equities, FX and alternative products at CME Group, the products are a result of growing demand from investors. The anticipated launch means retail could soon easily access crypto and equity index futures. 

“Spot-Quoted futures will provide retail traders more flexibility by allowing them to either maintain the position in accordance with their longer-term view, or to more easily trade in and out of positions, without having to roll positions frequently,” McCourt noted.

The products will offer smaller-sized and capital-efficient contracts, with holders able to hold for up to five years. CME says the spot-quoted futures contracts share similar features to those of  perpetual contracts but offer greater precision and market accessibility.

“CME Group continues to deliver products that meet the evolving needs of active traders,” said Steve Sanders, executive vice president of marketing and product development at Interactive Brokers. “With Spot-Quoted futures, investors can trade directly at the spot level while gaining the capital efficiency and margin benefits of a futures contract. It is a smart solution for traders looking to optimize both execution and cost.”

CME announced its euro-denominated micro Bitcoin and Ethereum futures in February 2024, with these coming after the derivatives marketplace giant successfully rolled out U.S. dollar-denominated micro BTC and ETH futures in May and December 2021 respectively.

Recently, the company launched Solana (SOL) futures.