CME Group is set to launch XRP futures and Micro XRP futures contracts on Monday, May 19, marking a significant development for regulated cryptocurrency derivatives. The new contracts will be available for trading on CME Globex and cleared through CME ClearPort, with early access starting Sunday evening.
What Are XRP and Micro XRP Futures?
The standard XRP futures contract will represent 50,000 XRP, while the Micro XRP futures will cover 2,500 XRP. Both are cash-settled based on the CME CF XRP-Dollar Reference Rate, providing a transparent and regulated way for institutions and individual traders to gain exposure to XRP.
According to Giovanni Vicioso, CME Group’s Global Head of Cryptocurrency Products, interest in XRP and its underlying blockchain technology—the XRP Ledger—is growing among both institutional and retail investors. He emphasized that the addition of XRP futures provides a capital-efficient and regulated tool for trading the world’s fourth-largest digital asset by market capitalization.
Part of CME’s Expanding Crypto Derivatives Suite
The introduction of XRP futures builds on CME’s growing suite of digital asset products, which already includes Bitcoin, Ethereum, and more recently, Solana futures. This expansion reflects increasing institutional demand for regulated crypto exposure, especially in the form of derivatives, which offer flexibility and risk management tools.
The launch also comes during a time of legal uncertainty for Ripple, the company behind XRP. A U.S. judge recently denied a proposed settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), prolonging the regulatory ambiguity surrounding XRP. Still, the introduction of XRP futures signals market confidence in the asset’s longevity and relevance.
Despite the ongoing legal challenges, the move by CME Group provides new opportunities for professional traders and institutions seeking regulated exposure to XRP, further solidifying its place in the broader crypto ecosystem.
