CME Is Launching EUR Crypto Futures, BTC and ETH in August

CME Group announced it will expand its crypto offering by adding Bitcoin Euro and Ethereum Euro futures on 29 August 2022 (subject to regulatory approval).

The BTC EUR futures will be the size of 5 bitcoin per contract. ETH EUR contracts' size will be 50 ETH per contract. The contracts will be cash-settled via CME CF Bitcoin-Euro / Ethereum-Euro reference (a one-day reference rate).

Tim McCourt, the Global Head of Equity and FX Products at CME said the following on the launch of the new contracts: "Ongoing uncertainty in cryptocurrency markets, along with the robust growth and deep liquidity of our existing Bitcoin and Ether futures, is creating increased demand for risk management solutions by institutional investors outside the U.S.

"Our Bitcoin Euro and Ether Euro futures contracts will provide clients with more precise tools to trade and hedge exposure to the two largest cryptocurrencies by market cap.

"Euro-denominated cryptocurrencies are the second highest traded fiat behind the U.S. dollar. Year-to-date, the EMEA region represents 28% of total Bitcoin and Ether futures contracts traded, up more than 5% versus 2021."

Sam Newman, the Digital Assets Head of Brokering at TP ICAP, added: "TP ICAP is excited to support another market-defining cryptoasset product from CME Group.

"Our Digital Assets business has been operational and brokering CME Group cryptoassets since the start of 2020, originally in London, followed by expansion to the U.S. in 2021 and, most recently, in APAC via Hong Kong and Singapore.

"Interest in cryptoassets has seen huge growth, and these new euro-denominated futures contracts will help further expand the accessibility and utility of cryptoasset derivatives, particularly within Europe."

Open Interest in ETH Futures is Rising

The timing of the new EUR crypto futures comes at the time when the open interest in Ether futures has been steadily rising.

source: theblock

Many are suggesting the rise in ETH open interest is linked to the upcoming merge (which is set to commence on 17 September).

Adding EUR crypto futures prior to the merge may garner interest from crypto investors.