Crypto Derivatives Volume on CME Hits All-Time High of $11.3B Per Day in Q1

CME Group shattered previous records in the first quarter of 2025, as its cryptocurrency derivatives market surged to new heights, fueled by a sharp uptick in micro futures trading.

The exchange reported an average daily volume (ADV) of 198,000 crypto contracts—equivalent to $11.3 billion in notional value—marking the highest quarterly performance since CME entered the digital asset space.

Much of the growth stemmed from soaring interest in micro-sized contracts. Micro ether futures averaged 76,000 daily contracts, while micro bitcoin futures saw a dramatic 113% year-over-year rise, hitting 77,000 in ADV. These bite-sized instruments, representing just 0.1 BTC or ETH, have proven popular among retail traders and institutions seeking finer control over position sizing and risk.

CME’s standard BTC and ETH futures also posted strong activity, with daily volumes of 18,000 and 13,000 contracts, respectively, reinforcing the growing institutional footprint in crypto derivatives.

Beyond crypto, CME posted an all-time high in overall Q1 trading volume, with an average of 29.8 million contracts per day across its full product suite—including U.S. Treasury futures, energy options, and agriculture contracts.

The record performance reflects rising demand for transparent, regulated crypto exposure, and suggests micro contracts are playing a pivotal role in expanding market accessibility.

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