Key Takeaways:
- Four new altcoin benchmarks: CME Group adds Arbitrum (ARB), Ondo (ONDO), NEAR, and Sui (SUI) to its crypto reference rates.
- Enhanced market coverage: Expands CME’s crypto benchmarks to 96% of the investible market capitalization.
- Dual pricing times: Ondo and Sui will have additional daily rates at 4 p.m. New York time.
- Real-time tracking: All four assets will have indices updating every second, 24/7.
Institutional Crypto Data Just Got More Robust
The CME Group, the world’s largest derivatives exchange, has deepened its cryptocurrency pricing benchmarks with Arbitrum, Ondo, NEAR, and Sui, and continues to close the divide between traditional finance and digital assets. The new reference rates will commence on June 2, 2025, and will provide all institutional investors with standardized pricing data, which is important to portfolio valuations, structured products, and risk management.
These additions mean CME’s CF Benchmark suite now covers 96% of the crypto market by capitalization, reinforcing its role as a key pricing source for Wall Street.
Why This Move Matters for Crypto
1. Institutional Validation
The inclusion of Arbitrum (a leading Ethereum Layer 2) and Ondo (a rising RWA token) signals growing institutional interest beyond Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP lately.
2. Market Transparency
- Daily reference rates published at 4 p.m. London time (with additional rates for Ondo/Sui at 4 p.m. New York time).
- Real-time indices update every second, providing continuous market tracking.
3. Future Derivatives Potential
While these are not yet tradable futures products, CME’s past expansions (like Bitcoin and Ethereum futures) suggest these could follow if demand grows.
These benchmarks bring the same accuracy and transparency institutions expect in traditional markets, or at least that’s what is expected.
How the Benchmarks Work
- Data sources: Aggregated from top exchanges, including Coinbase, Kraken, and Bitstamp.
- Use cases: Helps funds, ETFs, and structured products price exposure accurately.
- Global reach: 24/7 real-time indices support round-the-clock trading strategies.
A Step Closer to Mainstream Crypto Adoption
CME’s growth highlights institutional demand for accurate crypto price discovery. With 96% market coverage, the next step could be the launch of futures contracts for these altcoins, further solidifying crypto’s role in global finance.
Will Arbitrum and Sui follow Bitcoin’s path from benchmark to regulated derivatives? Given CME’s track record, it’s only a matter of time.
For more on institutional crypto adoption, read our article on: Ripple-Backed Hidden Road Launches U.S. Crypto OTC Swaps
