CME Group to Launch Cardano, Chainlink, and Stellar Futures on February 9, 2026

• What’s New in CME’s Crypto Derivatives Lineup?
• Why Is CME Expanding Its Crypto Offerings Now?
• How Does CME Stack Up Against Competitors Like Binance?
• What’s the Deal with the New 100-Ounce Silver Futures?
• What Does This Mean for Crypto Traders?
• How Did the Market React to the News?
• Is This Part of a Bigger Trend?
• Any Risks to Watch Out For?
• FAQs

The CME Group, a global derivatives exchange powerhouse, is set to expand its crypto derivatives lineup with regulated futures contracts for Cardano (ADA), chainlink (LINK), and Stellar (XLM) on February 9, 2026. These products, approved by the U.S. CFTC, will offer both standard and micro-sized contracts, catering to institutional and retail traders alike. The move follows a record-breaking 139% surge in CME’s crypto derivatives trading volume in 2025, solidifying its dominance in regulated crypto markets. Alongside crypto, CME will also debut 100-ounce silver futures, targeting retail demand for metals hedging. Here’s a deep dive into what this means for traders and the broader market.

What’s New in CME’s Crypto Derivatives Lineup?

CME Group is rolling out futures for three major altcoins—Cardano (ADA), Chainlink (LINK), and Stellar (XLM)—on February 9, 2026. Each will have two contract sizes: standard (large) and micro. For ADA, the standard contract covers 100,000 tokens, while the micro contract is for 10,000 ADA. LINK futures will trade in lots of 5,000 (standard) and 250 tokens (micro), while XLM futures will offer 250,000 Lumens (standard) and 12,500 Lumens (micro). These cash-settled contracts will trade on CME’s regulated platform, joining existing crypto products like Bitcoin (since 2017) and Ether (2021) futures.

Why Is CME Expanding Its Crypto Offerings Now?

Giovanni Vicioso, CME’s Global Head of Crypto Products, cited “record crypto growth” in 2025 as the catalyst. Traders are clamoring for regulated tools to manage price risk and gain exposure. The numbers back this up: CME’s crypto derivatives volume hit an all-time high last year, with daily averages soaring 139% YoY to 278,300 contracts (≈$12B notional). Open interest peaked at 313,900 contracts (≈$26.4B), driven largely by futures. Even options saw record activity, albeit smaller, with 4,100 contracts daily (≈$231M notional).

How Does CME Stack Up Against Competitors Like Binance?

CME has been crushing it in BTC futures, outpacing Binance in open interest for months. Institutions clearly prefer regulated venues for hedging—no surprise given the post-FTX crackdown on offshore exchanges. According to CoinGlass, CME’s dominance reflects a broader shift toward compliance, especially after the 2025 crypto derivatives market ballooned to $86 trillion in total volume (≈$265B daily).

What’s the Deal with the New 100-Ounce Silver Futures?

On the same day (February 9), CME will launch 100-ounce silver futures, cash-settled against its global benchmark. Jin Hennig, CME’s Metals Lead, tied the product to retail demand for “diversification amid geopolitical uncertainty and energy transitions.” The MOVE follows a banner year for CME’s metals suite: micro gold futures hit 301K contracts, micro silver 48K, and the 1-ounce gold contract (launched January 2025) surpassed 6M trades.

What Does This Mean for Crypto Traders?

For pros, it’s another hedging tool with CME’s stamp of legitimacy. For retail, micro contracts lower the barrier to entry—though let’s be real, 10,000 ADA isn’t exactly “micro” for everyone. Either way, it signals growing institutionalization of altcoins. As one BTCC analyst quipped, “When CME adds your coin, it’s like getting a blue checkmark in TradFi.”

How Did the Market React to the News?

ADA, LINK, and XLM prices popped 5-8% on the announcement, per TradingView data. But don’t break out the champagne—this is classic “buy the rumor” behavior. The real test comes post-launch: if liquidity follows, these could become go-to instruments for altcoin exposure without the custody headaches.

Is This Part of a Bigger Trend?

Absolutely. 2025 was the year crypto derivatives ate the world, with CME, BTCC, and other regulated players leading the charge. Even as spot ETFs grabbed headlines, futures and options quietly became the backbone of institutional crypto trading. Now, with altcoins joining the party, the infrastructure’s catching up to the hype.

Any Risks to Watch Out For?

This article does not constitute investment advice. That said, remember: futures are Leveraged instruments. While CME’s products are safer than unregulated perpetual swaps, they’re still complex. Also, altcoin markets are thinner than Bitcoin’s—liquidity crunches could amplify volatility.

FAQs

When exactly will CME list Cardano, Chainlink, and Stellar futures?

February 9, 2026. Mark your calendars—or better yet, set a TradingView alert.

What’s the difference between standard and micro contracts?

Micro contracts are 1/10th to 1/20th the size of standard ones, making them accessible to smaller traders. For example: standard ADA = 100K tokens, micro ADA = 10K tokens.

Will these futures be physically delivered?

No, all contracts are cash-settled. You’ll get USD, not actual ADA/LINK/XLM.

How can I trade these on CME?

You’ll need an account with a futures broker (like BTCC) that offers CME access. Retail platforms may or may not support them initially.