Bitcoin (BTC) futures options from CME Group saw volumes in excess of $2.3 million on the product’s first day of public trading, the company has confirmed. Data from CME’s official website confirmed the successful rollout on Jan. 13, which began as scheduled and ultimately saw 55 contracts change hands. Investors lap up BTC options products Each contract corresponds to 5 BTC, meaning that at current prices, the 55 contracts were worth $2.34 million. Bitcoin markets rallied on release day, rising by more than 5% to hit highs of $8,550. Those levels had previously remained absent since mid-November. As Cointelegraph reported, …

Former Bakkt CEO and Georgia's new Senator Kelly Loeffler will help oversee major financial regulator, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Sworn into the United States Senate on Jan. 6, the crypto-friendly businesswoman has joined the Senate Agriculture Committee, which oversees the CFTC. The news was first reported by farm and policy publication Agri-Pulse on Jan. 6, while the official announcement was released on Jan. 7. Potential conflict of interest: CFTC regulates ICE’s markets Loeffler’s appointment to the agriculture committee is potentially setting up a conflict of interest as the new Senator is spouse of Jeffrey Sprecher, founder and CEO …

Kelly Loeffler, former CEO at the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE)-backed crypto trading platform Bakkt, has been sworn into the United States Senate. In a Jan. 6 tweet, Loeffler announced that she was sworn into the U.S. Senate by Mike Pence, the Senate’s chief officer, to become Georgia’s newest Senator. Loeffler casts first vote to support Trump’s pickto lead the Small Business Administration In the announcement, Loeffler said that she had already cast her first vote to support U.S. President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Small Business Administration, an autonomous U.S. government agency designed to assist small businesses in the country. …

Disappointment isn’t always a bad thing. It can be a spur, motivating one to work harder to meet expectations and goals. It is in this spirit that Cointelegraph informally surveyed members of the crypto community about this past year’s unfulfilled industry promises. Here are some of 2019’s biggest disappointments: Adoption missing? Where are the giant blockchain or crypto projects — enterprises that seize the imagination, rivet the public’s attention, and quiet the crypto skeptics? As Nouriel Roubini noted last year, “[Blockchain] still has only one application: cryptocurrencies.” Many in the industry are still waiting. As Lanre Sarumi, CEO of crypto …

The United States Bitcoin (BTC) derivatives market witnessed a slew of developments in 2019 as “old players” set trading volume records and “new players” introduced novel market products. After months of regulatory maneuvering, Bakkt finally launched and has gone on to post record Bitcoin futures trading volumes. Several platforms have also obtained Swap Execution Facility licenses from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission as the crypto derivatives arena in the country expanded throughout 2019. One of the 19 CFTC-licensed platforms, Tassat, said the approval is a preliminary step to the company listing physically settled Bitcoin derivatives for institutional clients. Overall, …

Former PayPal and Google veteran Mike Blandina has been appointed as the new CEO of major cryptocurrency trading platform Bakkt. Following the departure of founding CEO Kelly Loeffler, who was appointed to a United States Senate seat in early December, Blandina has now been promoted to CEO position as he joined Bakkt as chief product officer in April 2019. As announced by Bakkt’s parent company Intercontinental Exchange on Dec. 23, the appointment came into force on Dec. 20. Bakkt’s former COO Adam White will now serve as the company’s president Alongside the new CEO, Bakkt has also appointed Adam White, …

Earlier this week, institutional Bitcoin (BTC) futures platform Bakkt launched two new financial products: the first United States-regulated BTC options and cash-settled futures. The announcement came just three months after the project went live with its physically delivered futures, following a series of delays. Meanwhile, the platform’s CEO, Kelly Loeffler, is reportedly going to replace Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson in the U.S. Senate by the end of the year. So what do these new developments mean for Bakkt and the crypto market in general? What is Bakkt? Bakkt (pronounced “backed,” referring to “asset-backed securities”) is a digital assets platform created …

The Intercontinental Exchange (ICE)’s digital asset platform Bakkt has launched the first regulated Bitcoin (BTC) options and cash-settled futures in the United States. According to an announcement on Dec. 9, Bakkt is now using its physically settled Bitcoin contracts as a benchmark to build complementary products. Bakkt’s monthly futures contract will be a benchmark for other new products The news was announced in a blog post by Bakkt COO Adam White. The post reads: “By starting with the physically delivered Bakkt Bitcoin (USD) Monthly Futures, we have a benchmark contract that provides the foundation for us to develop complementary products …

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has appointed Kelly Loeffler, CEO of institutional Bitcoin (BTC) futures platform Bakkt, to a United States Senate seat. With the appointment, Loeffler will replace Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA), who plans to retire at the end of the year, the Washington Post reported on Dec. 4. A person familiar with the matter, shared Loeffler’s remarks with the publication, in which she ostensibly said: “I haven’t spent my life trying to get to Washington. But here’s what folks are gonna find out about me: I’m a lifelong conservative. Pro-Second Amendment. Pro-military. Pro-wall. And pro-Trump. I make no apologies …

Bitcoin (BTC) futures open interest on digital asset platform Bakkt has hit a new all-time high. According to a Dec. 3 Twitter post published on Dec. 3 by Bakkt Volume Bot — a Twitter account dedicated to reporting Bakkt trading volumes — Monday’s open interest on Bakkt Bitcoin futures reached a new all-time high of $6.5 million. In futures markets, open interest is the number of open contracts in the market and is often used to indicate the health of the market. When there is a large amount of open interest, new or additional capital is flowing in. Regularly breaking …

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is expected to appoint Kelly Loeffler, CEO of institutional Bitcoin (BTC) futures platform Bakkt, for a United States Senate seat next week. Atlanta’s local news outlet AJC reported on Nov. 29 that Kemp plans to choose Loeffler in a bid to expand the appeal of the Republican party to women. If nominated, Bakkt’s CEO will become just the second woman to serve in the United States Senate from Georgia. Furthermore, Loeffler could also finance GOP activities with her personal fortune, which the outlet suggests could break fundraising records. Bakkt CEO backs Trump In an apparent effort …

Bitcoin (BTC) institutional trading platform Bakkt has set another giant new record for its futures contracts, topping 5,600 BTC on the day. As the company confirmed on Twitter, Nov. 27 saw a fresh all-time volume high for Bakkt’s monthly Bitcoin futures. During the session, Bakkt reported 4,443 BTC traded — over 60% higher than its previous record. Bakkt doubles Bitcoin futures record Subsequently, non-affiliated monitoring resource Bakkt Bot counted an even higher total for the day — 5,671 BTC ($42.5 million). According to Bakkt Bot, the previous record in dollar terms was $20.3 million Nov. 22, making Wednesday’s achievement 109% …