CME Group launched new Bitcoin options on Jan. 14, which was revealed by the company’s global head of equity products Tim McCourt. The introduction of crypto options by a derivatives heavyweight in CME will further uplift the institutional infrastructure supporting the asset class. Over the long term, investors generally anticipate improvements in the infrastructure surrounding Bitcoin (BTC) to have a positive impact on the cryptocurrency market. CME Bitcoin options is a net positive for crypto Speaking to Cointelegraph, cryptocurrency technical analyst Eric Thies said that CME options will bring in more stability in the market over the long run. Accredited …

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, …

Chicago-based crypto exchange ErisX has notified its members and participants that it will start trading futures digital currency products in a strangely low-key announcement. On Dec. 16, ErisX reached out to its members, informing them of its intent to start trading crypto futures tomorrow, Tuesday, Dec. 17. The notice is strange, considering that it appeared without the fanfare one would expect of the launch of such a major product, leaving doubt only magnified by the history of the exchange, as well as rival LedgerX. In July, the TD Ameritrade-backed crypto exchange procured a derivatives clearing organization (DCO) license from the …

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 …

Paris-based asset management firm Napoleon AM announced the launch of a regulated Bitcoin (BTC) fund, the Napoleon Bitcoin Fund. The company announced in a press release that the fund was created on Nov. 8 and is a specialized professional fund under French law. The company claims that its product is one of the first regulated vehicles giving exposure to Bitcoin’s price movements. The product — with daily liquidity — aims to provide portfolio diversification to institutional and professional investors. The fund replicate the performance of futures listed on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange in cash settlement. High hopes for Bitcoin’s potential …

Binance, the second-biggest cryptocurrency exchange by daily trading volume at press time, now supports Bitcoin (BTC) futures trading on its new iOS app. After Binance initially launched its two futures testnet platforms on Sept. 2, the exchange now allows its users to trade Bitcoin and Ether (ETH) futures contracts via its newly released iOS application, according to a blog post on Dec. 9. BTC and ETH futures trading is also available on Android According to the firm, Binance iOS app users can now trade BTC/USDT contracts at up to 125x leverage, while ETH/USDT contracts are capped at 50x leverage. The …

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 …

Bitcoin (BTC) futures-focused NYDIG Bitcoin Strategy Fund has procured approval from the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), entitling it with the right to offer its shares to institutional investors. According to an SEC filing that came into effect on Dec. 2, the New York Digital Investment Group LLC (NYDIG) is now authorized to offer its shares to institutional investors, including registered investment advisers, their clients, and other eligible investors. For those who intend to invest in the shares, the fund does not put forward a minimum investment requirement. Cash-settled BTC futures The fund describes itself as “a non-diversified, …

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 …

The Intercontinental Exchange (ICE)’s Bakkt platform has officially confirmed its forthcoming launch of a cash-settled Bitcoin (BTC) futures contract. In a news release published Nov. 22, ICE — the operator of 23 leading global exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange — revealed that the contract will be listed on ICE Futures Singapore as of Dec. 9. Rule changes open to review until Nov. 29 During the Invest: NYC conference earlier this month, Bakkt COO Adam White had been the first to publicly reveal Bakkt had its sights on a cash-settled option. Today’s announcement formally confirms the details leaked to …

Bitcoin (BTC) futures trading on the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE)’s Bakkt platform will expand to include a cash-settled option, COO Adam White has revealed. Speaking at the Invest: NYC conference on Nov. 12, White reportedly stated that Bakkt “has the intention of offering a cash-settled contract as well” as its existing Bitcoin-settled product. Customer demand spurring product development According to unnamed sources reportedly familiar with the roadmap, the cash-settled monthly Bitcoin futures will be offered via ICE’s Singapore-based clearinghouse, ICE Clear Singapore, and traded on the ICE Futures Singapore exchange. The exchange is notably accessible to futures traders signed up to …

The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Group has announced the date it expects to launch options on Bitcoin (BTC) futures in a statement on Nov. 12. “In response to growing interest in cryptocurrencies and customer demand for tools to manage bitcoin exposure, CME Group will launch options on Bitcoin futures (BTC) on January 13, 2020,” the company revealed in the announcement. The CME Group said that the upcoming product is still pending regulatory approval. Contract specifications CME Group specified that one Bitcoin futures contract will represent 5 BTC quoted in U.S. dollars, with a block minimum of five contracts. The announcement …