No, CME Isn’t Launching Ripple, Solana Futures Contracts Yet

Key Takeaways

• CME’s beta platform unexpectedly displayed futures contracts for Ripple and Solana.
• CME clarified the listing was unintentional and for internal testing purposes.
• If approved by the CFTC, XRP and SOL futures could begin trading as early as Feb. 10.

The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) stirred excitement in the crypto community after Ripple (XRP) and Solana (SOL) futures contracts appeared on its beta platform.

The unexpected listing raised hopes for expanded crypto derivatives offerings in the near future. However, CME officials later clarified the listing was an error, as the platform is used for testing purposes and was not intended to be made public.

Despite the clarification, the news sent ripples through the industry, igniting optimism among those eager for more regulated futures products. The listing, though unofficial, hints at the growing momentum behind crypto-based investment instruments.

Awaiting Regulatory Approval

CME officials confirmed to Fox News that no official decision has been made regarding the launch of Solana and Ripple futures contracts. As with other crypto derivatives, any such offering would require approval from the Commodities and Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

The CME beta platform lists XRP and Sol futures. Source: CME

Currently, the CME offers futures contracts for Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH), including micro versions of both. These contracts have been available since 2021 , following nearly a decade of negotiations between asset managers and regulators.

Adding XRP and SOL futures to the CME’s roster would mark a significant milestone for the platform. However, analysts caution that regulatory approval is essential before the contracts can move forward.

Crypto Investment Products Surge Under New Administration

The potential listing of Ripple and Solana futures comes as the crypto market experiences a surge in investment product filings.

Since Donald Trump’s second term began, enthusiasm for crypto-focused offerings has skyrocketed, with filings for exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other products increasing by more than 200%, according to Bloomberg ETF analyst James Seyffart.

Currently, 33 crypto ETFs are awaiting review by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), double the number seen during the tenure of former SEC Chair Gary Gensler. Analysts predict this trend will accelerate as the regulatory environment becomes more crypto-friendly.

Spot ETFs vs. Futures Contracts

While the spotlight is on potential futures contracts for XRP and SOL , both cryptocurrencies have also seen filings for spot ETFs.

Analysts suggest that CME’s futures contracts, if approved, could hit the market before any spot ETF offerings gain regulatory clearance.

Eric Balchunas, a senior ETF analyst at Bloomberg, noted that while altcoin and memecoin investment products are gaining attention, most of the capital is likely to flow into spot Bitcoin ETFs.

Comparing crypto to the commodity market, he remarked, “Crypto will look like the commodity category where gold dominates, silver does ok, but then there’s fringe stuff like palladium, corn, wheat, coffee, cocoa, live cattle.”