CME to Add Crypto Option Expiries

CME Group has announced plans to expand its suite of cryptocurrency options across its standard- and micro-sized Bitcoin and Ether contracts beginning on May 22, pending regulatory review.

The new contracts mean expiries will be available every day of the business week, by adding Tuesday and Thursday expiries to the existing contracts. CME says all of the new offerings will complement the existing monthly and quarterly expiries available across all Bitcoin and Ether options on futures contracts.

“We are pleased to offer these new options contracts to provide market participants with greater precision and versatility in managing short-term bitcoin and ether price risk,” says Giovanni Vicioso, CME Group global head of cryptocurrency products. “Against a backdrop of heightened market volatility in the digital asset sector, we continue to see clients turn to a trusted, regulated venue like CME Group for reliable and efficient cryptocurrency risk management products.”

Paul Eisma, head of options trading at XBTO, adds, “CME Group continues to innovate and lead in the institutional crypto options on futures market. By completing the short end of the implied volatility surface with the addition of the new Tuesday, Thursday Micro options contracts and weekly standard size contracts, institutional market makers such as XBTO can deliver precise liquidity to market participants of all sizes who trade and hedge cryptocurrency exposures spanning every business day of the upcoming week for the first time.”