CME Group to Launch Regulated Futures for Avalanche and Sui

CME Group, one of the world's largest derivatives exchanges, has announced plans to launch regulated futures contracts for Avalanche (AVAX) and Sui (SUI), with both products expected to go live on May 4, subject to regulatory approval. The contracts will be available in both standard and micro sizes, cash-settled, and cleared through CME Clearing.

What Are the AVAX and SUI Futures Contract Specifications?

Both contracts follow a straightforward structure built around CME's existing crypto derivatives framework. Here are the sizing details for each:

• AVAX futures: Standard contract sized at 5,000 AVAX, micro contract at 500 AVAX
• SUI futures: Standard contract sized at 50,000 SUI, micro contract at 5,000 SUI

Both contracts are cash-settled, meaning no actual cryptocurrency changes hands at expiry. Settlement is priced off CME CF reference rates tied to New York settlement windows, and clearing runs through CME Clearing, the exchange's central counterparty. Both contracts are also block-eligible, meaning large institutional trades can be negotiated off the order book and reported separately.

Where Will These Contracts Trade?

The AVAX and SUI futures will initially trade on CME Globex, the exchange's existing electronic trading platform, before transitioning to CME's new 24/7 schedule. That schedule takes effect May 29, 2026, at 4 p.m. CT, when CME's full crypto derivatives suite moves to continuous trading. The only interruption will be a minimum two-hour weekly maintenance window. Holiday and weekend trades placed Friday evening through Sunday evening will carry a trade date of the following business day.

Why Is CME Adding AVAX and SUI Now?

The two new listings expand a crypto derivatives portfolio that has been growing steadily. CME already offers futures and options on Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Solana. Earlier this year, the exchange added contracts for Cardano (ADA), Stellar (XLM), and Chainlink (LINK). AVAX and SUI are the next additions.

The volume numbers give context for the timing. CME recorded $3 trillion in notional volume across its crypto futures and options in 2025. Year-to-date figures through early 2026 show average daily volume of 407,200 contracts, up 46% year over year. Futures average daily volume reached 403,900 contracts, up 47%. March average daily volume rose 19% year over year, with nearly $8 billion in average notional value traded daily.

Giovanni Vicioso, CME Group's global head of cryptocurrency products, said the new listings reflect that demand directly: 

"Our new micro- and larger-sized Avalanche and Sui futures will provide clients with greater choice, enhanced flexibility and more capital efficiencies across our deeply liquid, regulated crypto derivatives complex."

What Does the Move to 24/7 Trading Mean for Institutional Investors?

CME's shift to round-the-clock crypto trading, announced February 19 and scheduled for May 29, is a notable structural change for a regulated U.S. exchange. Most institutional derivatives venues operate on fixed trading hours tied to traditional market sessions. Crypto, by contrast, trades continuously across global platforms.

Many crypto-native derivatives exchanges already offer 24/7 trading, including Binance Futures, Hyperliquid, Lighter, and Aster. On the regulated side, Coinbase Derivatives expanded non-stop trading for its altcoin perpetual-style futures after initially rolling out 24/7 Bitcoin and Ethereum futures, marking a first for a CFTC-regulated exchange.

Tim McCourt, CME Group's global head of equities, FX, and alternative products, has noted on multiple occasions that client demand for risk management in digital assets is at an all-time high, while also acknowledging that "not all markets lend themselves to operating 24/7." For crypto specifically, the demand is clear enough that CME is moving ahead.

What Else Is CME Building in the Crypto Space?

Beyond new futures listings, CME has several other crypto-related initiatives in progress. The exchange is working on a tokenized cash initiative with Google, with new products expected later in 2026. It is also exploring what it describes as a quasi-stablecoin for use as on-exchange collateral, following a U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission ruling that accepts certain cryptocurrencies as collateral in derivatives markets. CME has also publicly discussed "different initiatives with our own coin" for use on decentralized networks.

Last year, the firm's crypto trading volumes reached record highs, with more than $13 billion in notional volumes traded daily.

Conclusion

CME Group's AVAX and SUI futures add two more altcoins to a regulated derivatives portfolio that already includes Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, ADA, XLM, and LINK. Both contracts come in standard and micro sizes, are cash-settled through CME Clearing, and will trade on Globex before moving to the 24/7 schedule starting May 29. 

CME recorded $3 trillion in crypto notional volume in 2025 and is averaging 407,200 contracts per day in 2026, up 46% year over year. The AVAX and SUI listings expand institutional access to regulated altcoin derivatives while the broader CME crypto infrastructure, including a tokenized cash initiative and potential on-chain collateral tools, continues to develop.

Resources

1. Announcement by CME Group: CME Group to Continue Expansion of Regulated Crypto Suite with Launch of Avalanche and Sui Futures

2. Press release by CME Group: CME Group to Launch 24/7 Cryptocurrency Futures and Options Trading on May 29

3. Report by CME Group: Crypto Catch-Up | Q4 2025

4. Report by CoinDesk: Wall Street giant CME Group is eyeing its own 'CME Coin,' CEO says