Derivative marketplace CME Group will launch XRP Futures on May 19, citing growing demand for crypto investment products. The institutional appetite for XRP continues to soar in Q2 2025, as a possible spot ETF approval nears in the United States. On the flip side, crypto short-term volatility dragged down sentiments, although bulls target a new rally above the $6 mark.
XRP Bags Major Booster
In a recent announcement, the company rolled out plans to launch the XRP product. This year, several firms have turned to XRP, making the asset an institutional favorite. CME Group’s product will give traders the option of a micro-sized and a large-sized contract. The former will consist of 2,500 XRP while the latter includes 50,000 XRP.
The product will be cash-settled, integrating the CME CF XRP-Dollar Reference Rate. This marks another addition to CME’s growing crypto suites. The firm currently has Bitcoin (BTC), Ether, and Solana (SOL) options as digital asset adoption hits new levels. Investor demand in Q1 2025 underscores the need for more products.
Last quarter saw a 141% increase in daily contracts worth $11.8 billion. Average open interest is up 83% year-over-year, while 43,000 SOL futures have been traded since March 17. Giovanni Vicioso, CME Group’s Global Head of Cryptocurrency Products, highlighted the impact of innovation on evolving markets and the need for more products.
“Interest in XRP and its underlying ledger (XRPL) has steadily increased as institutional and retail adoption for the network grows, and we are pleased to launch these new futures contracts to provide a capital-efficient toolset to support clients’ investment and hedging strategies,” he added.
Positive reactions from the crypto market trailed the news, with XRP bulls setting sights on a higher price point. This is hinged on new fund flows as well as present soaring sentiments.
Market Execs Point to Growing Adoption
Financial market executives have lauded the move, highlighting the need to expand retail access to futures. JB Mackenzie, Robinhood’s Futures VP, wrote that customers have shown increased demand for new products, pledging wider crypto futures in addition to spot offerings.
Sal Gilberte, the CEO of Teucrium, stated that the proposed CME Group listing is another milestone in the XRP ecosystem. He added that the asset has real financial use cases, among which is facilitating global transfers through the efficient XRP Ledger. Recently, Gilberte doubled down on his positive XRP stance after the firm launched the 2x Daily Long XRP ETF.
