CME Group is set to expand its regulated cryptocurrency derivatives offerings by introducing futures contracts for Bitcoin Cash (BCH) and Uniswap (UNI), the exchange announced. The planned launch date is October 19, contingent upon regulatory review.
These new contracts will be available in both standard and micro sizes. The standard Bitcoin Cash futures contract will represent 250 BCH, with micro contracts at 25 BCH. For Uniswap, standard contracts will cover 10,000 UNI, and micro contracts will be for 1,000 UNI.
This expansion continues CME Group’s strategy of broadening its crypto futures suite beyond Bitcoin and Ether. Previously, the exchange launched contracts for Cardano, Chainlink, and Stellar in February, followed by Avalanche and Sui futures in May. Before this latest announcement, CME’s crypto offerings included Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, Cardano, Chainlink, and Stellar.
CME Group highlighted that its expansion into altcoin futures has demonstrated significant market traction. The exchange reported that these futures generated over $1 billion in total notional value year-to-date. During the first half of 2026, CME’s crypto complex averaged 279,800 contracts daily, translating to $8.3 billion in notional volume. Average open interest across the complex in the same period stood at 264,600 contracts, valued at $15.4 billion.
Bitcoin Cash, which originated from a 2017 split from Bitcoin, is currently trading around $338 per coin with a market capitalization of approximately $6 billion. Uniswap’s native token, UNI, is trading near $9.28, holding a market cap of about $5.75 billion. Uniswap is known for operating the largest decentralized exchange in the cryptocurrency space, with UNI serving as the protocol’s governance token.
CME Group stated that as crypto markets mature, participants require more comprehensive, regulated tools to manage price risk. The new contracts are designed for capital efficiency and to offer exposure to key crypto networks within a regulated, 24/7 venue. This expansion is described as another step in providing clients with regulated tools to access these digital assets.
In related market developments, Ripple Prime secured a $200 million facility in May to enhance its lending capacity, following Ripple’s acquisition of Hidden Road in 2025. Institutions managing crypto exposure often seek round-the-clock access to regulated derivatives, supported by robust clearing and financing infrastructure.
The introduction of the Bitcoin Cash and Uniswap futures contracts remains subject to regulatory review, a condition consistently emphasized by CME Group.
Why This Matters
The materials describe a narrow update: CME Group announced plans to launch futures contracts for Bitcoin Cash and Uniswap on October 19, pending regulatory review. The launch of Bitcoin Cash and Uniswap futures contracts is pending regulatory review.
Broader Context
Source materials place the factual news in this context: Bitcoin Cash split off from Bitcoin in 2017, built for a larger block size and cheaper payments rather than store-of-value use.
