CME Crypto Options Hit $9B as Institutional Investors Push ETH, SOL, XRP to Records
Institutional demand is surging in CME Group’s regulated crypto derivatives markets, driving record levels of open interest across ether (ETH $3,882.12), solana (SOL $189.70), and XRP, the exchange told CoinDesk on Thursday.
Since Oct. 10, total open interest in CME crypto futures and options has risen 27%, signaling growing conviction among large traders. CME attributes this increase to a shift away from offshore markets following last week’s wave of liquidations.
On Tuesday, ETH futures open interest hit a new record at 48,600 contracts, while SOL and XRP futures reached all-time highs of 20,700 and 10,100 contracts, respectively. Options open interest climbed to $9 billion, reflecting increasing use of regulated products for hedging and speculation. CME’s Micro Ether futures ranked second in daily volume, further highlighting institutional engagement.
“The top 10 open interest days have all occurred in October, demonstrating both strong conviction and expanding participation in the regulated crypto derivatives market,” a CME spokesperson said.
CME’s third-quarter results provide additional context: combined crypto futures and options volumes topped $900 billion, with average daily open interest reaching $31.3 billion. Notional open interest peaked at $39 billion in September, with over 1,000 large holders active, indicating that these products are reaching beyond niche traders.
This growth extends beyond bitcoin and ether. SOL and XRP futures, launched earlier this year, have attracted significant attention. By September, SOL futures surpassed $2.1 billion in open interest, while XRP futures reached $1.4 billion, highlighting broadening institutional adoption across multiple crypto assets.
