Key takeaways
- CME to list XRP futures on May 19, reflecting a broader expansion of crypto derivatives.
- Giovanni Vicioso of CME cited rising institutional and retail interest in XRP as a key driver.
- XRP surged to $2.62 with a market cap above $153 billion, ranking third in the crypto market.
- XRP joins other major cryptocurrencies like BTC, ETH, and SOL in gaining futures exposure on traditional exchanges.
CME Group, the world’s leading derivatives marketplace, announced plans to launch XRP futures on May 19, 2025, adding to its existing crypto derivatives offerings, which include Bitcoin, Ether, and Solana futures.
CME to offer Micro and Standard XRP Contracts
According to the official announcement, the new XRP futures contracts will be available in two sizes: micro contracts representing 2,500 XRP and standard contracts representing 50,000 XRP.
Both contract types will be cash-settled based on the CME CF XRP-Dollar Reference Rate, calculated daily at 4:00 p.m. London time.
Institutional Demand Pushes XRP ahead of listing: Reaches $2.62
On April 24, at the initial announcement of the expected futures launch, Giovanni Vicioso, Global Head of Cryptocurrency Products at CME Group, pointed to the growing interest in XRP and its underlying ledger (XRPL) as the main reason behind the move.
He stated: “Interest in XRP and its underlying ledger (XRPL) has steadily increased as institutional and retail adoption for the network grows, and we are pleased to launch these new futures contracts to provide a capital-efficient toolset to support clients’ investment and hedging strategies.”
This rising demand has been evident in the market, with XRP gaining strong upward momentum ahead of its upcoming futures launch on the CME, recently reaching $2.62 and securing a market capitalization of over $153 billion, making it the third-largest cryptocurrency. The token has also recorded a 24-hour trading volume exceeding $5.8 billion.
Additionally, XRP’s increasing adoption in cross-border payment systems and consistent listing on major exchanges have contributed to improved liquidity and deeper market integration, making it a growing focus for institutional investors.
From Bitcoin to XRP: Traditional Markets Embrace More Crypto Futures
The launch of XRP futures on CME is the latest in a steady expansion of cryptocurrency derivatives across traditional financial platforms, as CME has been leading this charge since December 2017, when it debuted Bitcoin futures.
BTC’s listing was followed by launching Ether futures in February 2021, and most recently, Solana futures in March 2025.
Meanwhile, Cboe Global Markets, another major U.S. exchange, initially launched Bitcoin futures in 2017 but paused the product in 2019.
However, Cboe returned to the crypto derivatives space in 2024 with margined Bitcoin and Ether futures, and announced plans to launch Bitcoin index futures by April 2025, reflecting renewed institutional appetite.
As XRP prepares to join this growing suite of offerings on May 19, its inclusion not only reflects the asset’s rising demand but also marks another milestone in the mainstream integration of digital assets into traditional finance.
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