CME Group, the largest derivatives exchange by volume, has announced plans to launch futures contracts for Avalanche (AVAX) and Sui (SUI) on May 4, subject to regulatory review. The exchange will offer both standard and micro-sized contracts, with AVAX futures sized at 5,000 AVAX and Micro AVAX futures at 500 AVAX. SUI futures will be sized at 50,000 SUI, while Micro SUI futures will be sized at 5,000 SUI. The announcement reflects a continued push by traditional financial institutions to offer regulated crypto products.
The latest move builds on a January announcement in which CME Group revealed plans to introduce crypto futures tied to Cardano (ADA), Chainlink (LINK), and Stellar (XLM). The exchange recorded a record average daily trading volume of 28.1 million contracts in 2025, according to a January 7 announcement. CME Group’s ongoing expansion of its crypto derivatives lineup signals sustained institutional appetite for this asset class.
Justin Young, CEO and Co-founder of Volatility Shares, said the expansion reflects “growing demand for regulated, institutionally-sound products in this asset class.” During an earnings call in early February, CME Group CEO Terry Duffy indicated the exchange is also considering launching its own digital token that could operate on a decentralized network. These developments underscore how deeply traditional financial infrastructure is engaging with digital assets.
CME Group has also announced that its cryptocurrency futures and options products will begin trading around the clock starting May 29. This shift toward 24/7 trading aligns with the nature of cryptocurrency markets, which operate continuously through both centralized exchanges and decentralized venues, unlike traditional equities that are bound by set trading hours. The move positions CME Group to better serve institutional participants seeking continuous market access.
Other major traditional finance players are similarly exploring tokenized and round-the-clock trading products. On March 24, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) announced a partnership with tokenization platform Securitize to create blockchain-based shares of stocks and exchange-traded funds. The initiative is part of a broader plan by NYSE’s parent company, Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), to build a tokenized securities venue featuring 24/7 trading and instant on-chain settlement.
Crypto-native exchanges are also moving into traditional finance territory. Coinbase launched 24/7 stock perpetual futures for non-US traders on March 20, offering cash-settled exposure to major US equities and indices including Apple and Nvidia. Exchanges Binance and Kraken have similarly introduced tokenized perpetual futures trading for non-US users, alongside other offshore platforms. The convergence of traditional and crypto finance continues to accelerate across both sides of the market.
Originally reported by CoinTelegraph.
