CME Group continued to assert its dominance in the digital asset derivatives space, announcing a new record for cryptocurrency trading volumes in Q1 2025.
Average daily volume for CME’s crypto products reached 198,000 contracts, translating to a notional value of $11.3 billion—the highest quarterly figure on record. The surge was led by booming demand for micro contracts, which offer a lower barrier to entry for both retail and institutional investors.
Micro bitcoin futures saw a 113% year-over-year increase, averaging 77,000 contracts daily. Micro ether futures also contributed significantly, with 76,000 contracts traded on average each day. Standard bitcoin and ether futures followed closely, posting strong daily volumes of 18,000 and 13,000 contracts, respectively.
CME’s smaller-sized contracts—each representing just 0.1 BTC or ETH—continue to be instrumental in bringing precision and flexibility to digital asset trading strategies, appealing especially to firms managing exposure in volatile markets.
The crypto milestone coincided with broader growth across CME’s product lines. The exchange posted a record total ADV of 29.8 million contracts in Q1, with strong performances in treasuries, energy, and agriculture further bolstering its position as a global derivatives powerhouse.
With crypto markets maturing and regulatory clarity improving, CME’s record-setting quarter highlights rising institutional appetite for regulated crypto exposure—and the growing role of derivatives in modern portfolio strategy.
