- CME Group plans to launch Bitcoin Cash and Uniswap futures on October 19, pending regulatory approval.
- The new contracts will expand CME’s regulated crypto derivatives lineup and offer both standard and Micro options for traders.
CME Group plans to launch Bitcoin Cash (BCH) and Uniswap (UNI) futures on October 19, pending regulatory review. The move will expand CME’s regulated crypto derivatives lineup and give traders more ways to hedge exposure to altcoins.
CME Adds BCH and UNI Futures
CME will offer standard and Micro futures for both Bitcoin Cash and Uniswap. Each standard Bitcoin Cash futures contract will represent 250 BCH, while the Micro contract will cover 25 BCH.
For Uniswap, standard futures will represent 10,000 UNI, with Micro contracts covering 1,000 UNI. The smaller Micro contracts are designed for traders who want to take smaller positions or hedge exposure more precisely. They also reduce the amount of capital tied to each contract compared with the standard versions.
BCH and UNI will join CME’s existing single-asset crypto futures lineup, which includes Bitcoin, Ether, XRP, Solana, Cardano, Chainlink, Stellar, Avalanche and Sui.
CME has also expanded into crypto index products, including futures based on the Nasdaq CME Crypto Index.
CME’s Crypto Derivatives Market Continues to Grow
CME’s crypto futures and options business has expanded significantly in 2026. The exchange reported average daily volume of 279,800 cryptocurrency futures and options contracts during the first half of the year, representing about $8.3 billion in daily notional value.
Average open interest reached 264,600 contracts, with a notional value of approximately $15.4 billion.
The newer altcoin futures have also recorded notable activity. Futures linked to Cardano, Chainlink, Stellar, Avalanche and Sui generated more than $1 billion in combined notional value during 2026.
CME has also moved its crypto futures and options to 24/7 trading. The change, introduced in late May, allows traders to manage positions over weekends when crypto spot markets remain open.
The first weekend of continuous trading generated more than 7,200 contracts and around $50 million in notional volume.
Micro Contracts Expand Trading Options
The introduction of Micro BCH and UNI futures gives traders more flexibility when managing smaller positions.
A standard UNI futures contract represents 10,000 UNI, while the Micro version represents 1,000 UNI. For Bitcoin Cash, the difference is between 250 BCH for the standard contract and 25 BCH for the Micro contract.
The contract sizes can also help funds and market makers manage basis risk between spot holdings, exchange-traded products and futures.
CME’s approach is not limited to adding more cryptocurrencies. By combining regulated clearing, established futures infrastructure and different contract sizes, the exchange is expanding the ways professional traders can access crypto derivatives.
CME Expands as Perpetual Futures Face Regulatory Debate
The launch of BCH and UNI futures comes as CME continues to expand its traditional futures products while the exchange is also involved in a regulatory dispute over perpetual futures.
CME sued the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in June after the regulator allowed U.S. platforms, including Kalshi and Coinbase, to offer perpetual contracts. CME has argued that contracts without expiration dates do not fit the traditional definition of futures and has raised concerns about the risks associated with highly leveraged perpetual trading.
The CFTC moved in September to dismiss CME’s lawsuit, arguing that CME had not demonstrated sufficient competitive harm from the regulator’s decision.
Against that backdrop, CME is continuing to build a regulated crypto derivatives market around conventional futures structures. Adding Bitcoin Cash and Uniswap gives traders two more altcoin contracts and further broadens CME’s coverage beyond Bitcoin and Ether.
If the new contracts attract sustained trading activity, they could give funds and other professional market participants additional regulated tools for managing exposure to a wider range of crypto assets.
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