XRP Futures Launch on CME, Industry Expert Predicts Spot XRP ETFs Are Imminent
XRP futures began trading Monday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange’s (CME) derivatives platform, marking the first time a regulated XRP futures contract is available in the U.S.
Traders now have the option to trade two contract sizes—2,500 XRP and 50,000 XRP. Both contracts are cash-settled based on the CME CF XRP-Dollar Reference Rate, which tracks the daily XRP price at 4:00 p.m. London time.
CME already offers futures for bitcoin (BTC), ethereum (ETH), and solana (SOL), along with options for bitcoin and ethereum. CME’s solana futures, launched in mid-March, saw modest activity on debut, with $12.3 million in notional daily volume and $7.8 million in open interest, relatively lower compared to bitcoin and ethereum futures launches.
XRP’s price fell 3.45% over the last 24 hours.
The introduction of regulated XRP futures is seen as a significant milestone for the potential approval of spot XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which remain under review by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Multiple issuers have filed applications for spot XRP ETFs but have yet to receive regulatory clearance.
“CME-traded XRP futures are now live,” tweeted Nate Geraci, President of ETF Store. “CFTC-regulated contracts on XRP. Spot XRP ETFs are only a matter of time.”
Under former SEC Chair Gary Gensler, the presence of a regulated futures market was a key factor in approving spot bitcoin and ethereum ETFs. The launch of XRP futures on CME could pave the way for similar approvals for XRP-based ETFs.
