CME Crypto Options Surge to $9B Amid Record-Breaking ETH, SOL, and XRP Activity

Institutional Demand Drives CME Crypto Options to $9B as ETH, SOL, XRP Hit Records

Institutional investors are increasingly flocking to CME Group’s regulated crypto derivatives, driving all-time highs in ether (ETH $3,882.12), solana (SOL $189.70), and XRP futures and options, the exchange told CoinDesk on Thursday.

Since Oct. 10, open interest across CME crypto futures and options has surged 27%, reflecting growing conviction among professional traders. The uptick is partially attributed to a migration from offshore markets following last week’s liquidation events.

On Tuesday, ETH futures open interest reached a record 48,600 contracts, while SOL and XRP futures hit all-time highs at 20,700 and 10,100 contracts, respectively. Options open interest climbed to $9 billion, underscoring the increasing preference for regulated tools to hedge or speculate. CME’s Micro Ether futures ranked second in daily volume, reinforcing the trend.

“The top 10 days for open interest have all occurred in October, highlighting both strong conviction and expanding participation in the regulated crypto derivatives market,” a CME spokesperson said.

The trend builds on CME’s strong third-quarter results, when combined crypto futures and options volumes exceeded $900 billion, and average daily open interest reached $31.3 billion. Notional open interest peaked at $39 billion in September, with over 1,000 large holders active, indicating broader institutional adoption beyond a niche group of traders.

The growth extends beyond bitcoin and ether. SOL and XRP futures, launched earlier this year, have drawn significant attention. By September, SOL futures surpassed $2.1 billion in open interest, while XRP futures reached $1.4 billion, underscoring the widening appeal of CME-regulated crypto products across multiple assets.