Key Takeaways
- • CME Group launched Cardano (ADA), Chainlink (LINK), and Stellar (XLM) futures, expanding its CFTC-regulated crypto derivatives suite, with trading beginning Monday, February 9, 2026.
- • Contract sizes span full-size and micro contracts: ADA futures at 100,000 ADA and Micro ADA at 10,000 ADA; LINK at 5,000 and Micro LINK at 250; Lumens at 250,000 and Micro Lumens at 12,500.
- • CME reported record 2025 crypto activity, including average futures and options daily volume of 278,300 contracts ($12 billion notional) and average open interest of 313,900 contracts ($26.4 billion notional).
- • Industry participants including Wedbush Securities, NinjaTrader, and Volatility Shares welcomed the listings as expanding regulated access for both retail and institutional clients.
Summary
CME Group, the world's largest derivatives exchange, has expanded its regulated cryptocurrency derivatives suite with futures on Cardano (ADA), Chainlink (LINK), and Stellar (Lumens, XLM), according to a CME Group press release distributed via PRNewswire. The launch was announced for February 9, pending regulatory review. Per a CME Group-linked report, LINK futures and XLM futures began trading Monday, February 9, with first trades recorded on those contracts.
The new listings come in both standard and micro-sized formats. ADA futures cover 100,000 ADA, with Micro ADA futures at 10,000 ADA. LINK futures cover 5,000 LINK, with Micro LINK at 250 LINK. Lumens futures cover 250,000 XLM, with Micro Lumens at 12,500 XLM. CME said the dual sizing gives market participants greater choice and capital efficiency.
Giovanni Vicioso, CME Group Global Head of Cryptocurrency Products, said clients are seeking regulated products to manage price risk and gain exposure to the asset class, citing crypto's growth over the past year. The contracts join CME's existing crypto lineup, which includes Bitcoin, Ether, XRP, and Solana futures and options on futures.
CME cited record 2025 activity in its crypto franchise: futures and options average daily volume of 278,300 contracts ($12 billion notional) and average open interest of 313,900 contracts ($26.4 billion notional). Separately, the company reported record futures ADV of 272,200 contracts ($11.7 billion notional) and record average open interest of 253,600 contracts ($21.4 billion notional), along with record options ADV of 4,100 contracts ($231 million notional).
Bob Fitzsimmons, Executive Vice President of Wedbush Securities, said the firm supports the expanded product list for both retail and institutional clients. Martin Franchi, CEO of NinjaTrader, described the announcement as a milestone for the futures industry, while Justin Young, CEO and co-founder of Volatility Shares, said his firm, one of the largest traders of crypto futures, welcomed additional regulated products for trading and risk management.
The new listings come in both standard and micro-sized formats. ADA futures cover 100,000 ADA, with Micro ADA futures at 10,000 ADA. LINK futures cover 5,000 LINK, with Micro LINK at 250 LINK. Lumens futures cover 250,000 XLM, with Micro Lumens at 12,500 XLM. CME said the dual sizing gives market participants greater choice and capital efficiency.
Giovanni Vicioso, CME Group Global Head of Cryptocurrency Products, said clients are seeking regulated products to manage price risk and gain exposure to the asset class, citing crypto's growth over the past year. The contracts join CME's existing crypto lineup, which includes Bitcoin, Ether, XRP, and Solana futures and options on futures.
CME cited record 2025 activity in its crypto franchise: futures and options average daily volume of 278,300 contracts ($12 billion notional) and average open interest of 313,900 contracts ($26.4 billion notional). Separately, the company reported record futures ADV of 272,200 contracts ($11.7 billion notional) and record average open interest of 253,600 contracts ($21.4 billion notional), along with record options ADV of 4,100 contracts ($231 million notional).
Bob Fitzsimmons, Executive Vice President of Wedbush Securities, said the firm supports the expanded product list for both retail and institutional clients. Martin Franchi, CEO of NinjaTrader, described the announcement as a milestone for the futures industry, while Justin Young, CEO and co-founder of Volatility Shares, said his firm, one of the largest traders of crypto futures, welcomed additional regulated products for trading and risk management.
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