CME Group posted strong growth in its cryptocurrency derivatives market in the first quarter of 2025, reaching a record $11.3 billion in notional value. The surge was reportedly boosted by a sharp rise in trading activity for micro bitcoin and ether futures.

As institutional and retail traders sought precise risk management tools, demand for smaller-sized contracts rose, setting new records across multiple crypto products.

Micro Futures Lead the Charge

CME reported an average daily volume (ADV) of 198,000 crypto derivative contracts, with micro ether futures trading reaching an all-time high of 76,000 contracts.

Micro-bitcoin futures experienced even more explosive growth, surging 113% year-over-year to 77,000 ADV. Meanwhile, standard Bitcoin and ether futures also contributed to the record, with 18,000 and 13,000 contracts traded daily, respectively.

The exchange's micro contracts, representing just 0.1 BTC or 0.1 ETH, reportedly gained traction because they enable traders to implement more precise strategies.

The record-setting activity in crypto derivatives was part of a larger wave of growth across CME's product offerings. The exchange reported its highest-ever quarterly ADV at 29.8 million contracts, with new records set across multiple asset classes, including U.S. Treasury futures, energy options, and agricultural contracts.

Crypto Derivatives Boost Performance

March 2025 was particularly strong, with CME posting its second-highest monthly ADV ever at 30.8 million contracts, marking a 27% year-over-year increase. Cryptocurrency products saw a 59% annual increase in ADV for the month, reaching 176,000 contracts valued at $8.4 billion.

With micro futures now playing a pivotal role in CME's crypto derivatives ecosystem, market trends suggest continued demand. The firm aims to expand its suite of cryptocurrency contracts to provide traders with additional hedging opportunities amid volatile market conditions.

Meanwhile, CME Group's foreign exchange (FX) trading volumes experienced substantial growth last year, marking a 10% increase in international markets despite the global economic uncertainty and market volatility.

The derivatives exchange reported that FX trading performed strongly in Latin America, where volumes jumped 19% compared to 2023. This boost reflected the demand for currency risk management tools in emerging markets.