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Tanzeel Akhtar
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CME Group reported record trading activity across its markets in 2025 with average daily volume (ADV) reaching 28.1 million contracts up 6% from the previous year.
The gains were broad-based spanning interest rates, equities, commodities and cryptocurrencies, showing CME’s central role in global risk management as macro volatility and institutional participation intensified.
In the fourth-quarter ADV climbed to a record 27.4 million contracts while December ADV reached 23.5 million marking the strongest December on record.
CME reports the figures reflect heightened demand for hedging tools amid shifting rate expectations, commodity price volatility and growing adoption of crypto derivatives.
Interest Rates and Equities Lead Growth
Interest rate products remained the backbone of CME’s activity. Full-year interest rate ADV rose 4% to a record 14.2 million contracts driven by heavy trading in U.S. Treasury futures and options as well as SOFR-linked products.
U.S. Treasury futures and options posted a record annual ADV of 8.3 million contracts, while SOFR futures and options reached 5.4 million highlighting how traders continue to position around Federal Reserve policy and funding market dynamics.
Equity index derivatives also saw strong demand. ADV across equity index products increased 8% year-on-year to 7.4 million contracts, with micro contracts playing an outsized role.
Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100 and Micro E-mini S&P 500 futures both posted record volumes showing sustained retail and professional participation in smaller-sized contracts.
Crypto Derivatives See Explosive Growth
Cryptocurrency derivatives were one of the fastest-growing segments. CME reported a 139% jump in crypto ADV in 2025 to a record 278,000 contracts, representing roughly $12 billion in notional value.
Micro Ether futures led the complex followed by Micro Bitcoin futures, as traders increasingly favored capital-efficient instruments tied to digital assets.
The momentum carried into the fourth quarter when crypto ADV reached a quarterly record of 379,000 contracts with December alone seeing 339,000 contracts traded.
CME said the surge reflects rising institutional engagement with regulated crypto markets particularly during periods of heightened price volatility.
Global Participation and Liquidity Deepen
International trading activity also reached new highs. ADV outside the U.S. rose 8% to a record 8.4 million contracts, led by strong participation from Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
CME notes that its markets are benefiting from global diversification of trading flows and increased cross-border demand for benchmark derivatives.
Taken together, the 2025 results highlight CME Group’s ability to capture volume across asset classes during periods of economic uncertainty. With crypto, rates and commodities all contributing to record activity, the exchange enters 2026 with strong momentum and deep liquidity across its global markets.
https://cryptonews.com/news/cme-group-posts-record-trading-volumes-in-2025-as-crypto-and-rates-drive-activity/
