- CME Group is set to launch XRP futures on May 19, 2025, offering both micro and larger-sized contracts.
- The XRP futures will be cash-settled, expanding CME's cryptocurrency derivatives suite amid high trading performance.
- Robinhood will provide retail access to these XRP futures, reflecting strong investor demand for regulated XRP products.
CME Group, a dominant player in the derivatives market, has announced plans to introduce XRP futures on May 19, 2025, pending regulatory approval. This expansion will include micro-sized contracts of 2,500 XRP and larger contracts of 50,000 XRP, both cash-settled based on the CME CF XRP-Dollar Reference Rate. This development comes amid significant growth in crypto trading, as Q1 2025 saw average daily volumes reach 198,000 contracts valued at $11.3 billion, a notable 141% increase over the previous year.
The introduction of XRP futures aims to serve the growing interest from both institutional and retail investors in the XRP and its underlying technology, XRPL. Giovanni Vicioso, Global Head of Cryptocurrency Products at CME Group, highlighted the increasing demand for regulated derivatives products as a tool to manage risks and enhance investment strategies.
Robinhood, a popular trading platform, will offer these XRP futures to retail traders, enhancing their access to crypto derivatives. This move complements Robinhood's existing spot crypto offerings and aligns with its mission to broaden retail access to futures trading. Robinhood's VP and GM of Futures and International, JB Mackenzie, emphasized the company's commitment to providing customers with a broad array of crypto futures to match the needs of retail investors.
Furthermore, the Teucrium 2x Daily Long XRP ETF (XXRP) has shown robust investor interest, reaching $35 million in assets under management within just ten trading days. Sal Gilbertie, CEO of Teucrium, remarked on the significant investor demand for regulated XRP products, citing the launch of CME's XRP futures as a crucial milestone in the digital asset ecosystem.
XRP futures will be governed by CME's rules and available for trading on platforms like Robinhood, leveraging CME Group's vast experience in managing risk and capturing market opportunities. As part of its comprehensive crypto product suite, this offering will augment CME's existing crypto derivatives, which include Bitcoin and Ether futures and options, as well as recently launched SOL futures.
