CME Group Announces LINK And Micro LINK Futures Contracts

CME Group, the world’s largest derivatives exchange, has announced plans to launch futures contracts tied to Chainlink’s LINK token, including both standard LINK futures and Micro LINK futures. Trading is scheduled to begin on Feb. 9, pending regulatory review. The move gives market participants a regulated way to manage price risk or gain exposure to LINK without holding the token directly.

The announcement places Chainlink alongside Cardano and Stellar in CME Group’s expanding cryptocurrency derivatives suite, which already includes Bitcoin, Ether, XRP, and Solana futures and options. 

"With these new micro- and larger-size Cardano, Chainlink and Stellar futures contracts, market participants will now have greater choice with enhanced flexibility and more capital-efficiencies," Giovanni Vicioso, CME Group’s Global Head of Cryptocurrency Products, said.

For LINK specifically, the exchange will offer two contract sizes, aimed at both institutional traders and smaller participants seeking lower capital requirements.

What Did CME Group Announce?

CME Group said it plans to list LINK futures contracts in both standard and micro formats. The standard LINK futures contract will represent 5,000 LINK tokens, while the Micro LINK futures contract will represent 250 LINK tokens.

This structure mirrors CME’s approach to other crypto products, where micro contracts are designed to lower the barrier to entry and allow more precise position sizing.

The launch date for the new contracts is Feb. 9, subject to regulatory approval.

In its statement, CME Group said the new offerings respond to growing demand for regulated crypto products that allow participants to manage exposure using familiar derivatives infrastructure.

How Are LINK And Micro LINK Futures Structured?

The LINK futures contracts are cash-settled and based on reference pricing designed to reflect spot market activity. Traders do not take delivery of LINK tokens. Instead, contracts settle in cash based on the final reference rate.

Key contract details include:

• Standard LINK Futures: 5,000 LINK per contract
• Micro LINK Futures: 250 LINK per contract
• Settlement Type: Cash-settled
• Launch Date: Feb. 9, pending regulatory review

The micro contract is one twentieth the size of the standard contract. This allows traders to fine-tune exposure or hedge smaller positions without committing significant capital.

Why Offer Both Standard And Micro Contracts?

Offering both standard and micro contracts allows CME to serve a wider audience. Large contracts appeal to institutions managing sizable positions, while micro contracts are better suited for smaller traders or precise hedging.

This dual structure has proven effective in CME’s Bitcoin and Ether products. Micro contracts often see strong adoption because they reduce risk concentration and capital requirements.

For LINK, the micro contract size of 250 tokens allows traders to adjust exposure in smaller increments, which is especially useful in volatile markets.

How Does This Fit Into CME’s Existing Crypto Products?

LINK futures will join a growing list of regulated crypto derivatives at CME Group. The exchange already offers futures and options tied to Bitcoin, Ether, XRP, and Solana.

CME reported strong activity across its crypto products in 2025, particularly earlier in the year. According to the exchange, crypto futures and options reached record average daily volumes and open interest during that period.

Key 2025 highlights included:

• Average daily volume of 278,300 contracts, representing about $12 billion in notional value
• Average open interest of 313,900 contracts, representing $26.4 billion in notional value
• Futures average daily volume of 272,200 contracts, with $11.7 billion in notional value
• Options average daily volume of 4,100 contracts, representing $231 million in notional value

While activity slowed toward the end of the year, particularly after a broad market liquidation in October, CME’s decision to add new products suggests continued long-term demand for regulated exposure.

What Does This Signal About Chainlink?

CME’s decision to list LINK futures signals confidence in the reliability and integrity of LINK’s spot pricing. Historically, CME listings have played an important role in shaping institutional access to crypto assets.

Bitcoin and Ether futures at CME helped establish reference pricing used by funds, banks, and asset managers. Similar listings have often preceded or supported the approval of spot exchange-traded products in the United States.

In Chainlink’s case, the futures launch follows closely after regulatory approval for the Bitwise Chainlink ETF to list on NYSE Arca. That ETF allows investors to gain exposure to LINK through a brokerage account without holding the token directly.

How Do LINK Futures Compare To The Bitwise Chainlink ETF?

LINK futures and the Bitwise Chainlink ETF serve different use cases, even though both provide exposure to the same asset.

LINK futures are derivatives contracts. They allow traders to take long or short positions, hedge risk, and use margin. They are commonly used by professional traders, hedge funds, and market makers.

The Bitwise Chainlink ETF, by contrast, holds LINK tokens directly. Shares trade on NYSE Arca under the ticker CLNK. Investors buy and sell shares like a stock, without managing wallets or private keys.

The ETF structure addresses several challenges:

• No need to manage private keys or crypto wallets
• Regulated custody of the underlying LINK tokens
• Access through standard brokerage accounts

At launch, the ETF does not stake LINK, though Bitwise has said it may seek approval to add staking later.

Together, futures and ETFs broaden the range of tools available for LINK exposure across different investor profiles.

Conclusion

CME Group’s planned launch of LINK and Micro LINK futures on Feb. 9 expands the exchange’s regulated crypto derivatives lineup and adds another major altcoin to its offering. The contracts provide cash-settled exposure to Chainlink with two size options, supporting both institutional and smaller participants. The move shows ongoing demand for regulated tools to manage crypto price risk and aligns with recent developments such as the approval of a spot Chainlink ETF. Together, these products deepen LINK’s integration into traditional market infrastructure.

Resources 

1. Chainlink on X: Post on Jan. 15

2. Press release by CME Group: CME Group to Expand Crypto Derivatives Suite with Launch of Cardano, Chainlink and Stellar Futures

3. Report by CoinDesk: CME Group to offer cardano, chainlink, stellar futures as institutions seek regulated risk-management tools

4. Bitwise’s Chainlink (LINK) ETF approval document: US SEC approval for Bitwise Chainlink (LINK) ETF for NYSE Arca listing