CME to launch ADA, LINK and XLM futures as it expands regulated crypto derivatives

CME Group plans to expand its regulated crypto derivatives lineup with futures tied to Cardano (ADA), Chainlink (LINK), and Stellar (XLM), with trading set to begin on February 9. Each product will be offered in both standard and micro contract sizes, allowing traders to choose between larger exposure and smaller, lower-cost positions.

The new contracts add to CME’s existing crypto suite, which already includes bitcoin, ether, XRP, and solana futures and options. The expansion comes as crypto derivatives volumes cooled toward year-end after hitting record highs earlier in 2025.

CME reported that activity across its crypto futures and options reached record average daily volumes and open interest earlier in the year, driven by rising demand for regulated digital asset exposure. That momentum faded in the final months of 2025, with bitcoin futures seeing a sharp drop in December and ether and solana contracts posting consecutive monthly declines following a broad market liquidation in early October.

Despite the slowdown, CME remains confident in longer-term demand. The exchange is also positioning crypto futures as a testing ground for broader market structure changes, including smaller contract sizes and a potential shift toward continuous, “always-on” trading in the coming years.