Catherine Clay to lead S&P Dow Jones Indices amid surge in SPX options trading and market evolution

The ECB has selected Portuguese AI firm Feedzai to develop a centralised fraud detection system for the digital euro, marking a pivotal step towards a secure and trusted digital currency infrastructure across the eurozone.The European Central Bank (ECB) has taken a pretty clear step forward in its digital euro plans by choosing Portuguese AI firm Feedzai to develop a centralised system aimed at detecting and preventing fraud in online digital euro transactions. This move is really important—it's designed to boost security and, honestly, foster trust among users, which is key for people to actually start using the digital euro widely. As part of the deal, Feedzai, with support from its subcontractor PwC, will build a real-time service that handles payment requests from payment service providers (PSPs). This system will analyze transaction data on the spot using AI techniques to come up with a risk score. That score then helps PSPs decide—quickly and effectively—whether a transaction might be fraudulent. It’s meant to supplement existing controls and improve their ability to identify and block scams. Plus, Feedzai will offer post-transaction fraud analysis and detailed reports, giving a comprehensive picture of risks across the network of PSPs. The initial contract between the ECB and Feedzai is valued at nearly $92 million, but it could grow to as much as $278 million over four years, with options to extend up to fifteen years—because, well, this is a long-term project with plenty of complexities involved. Feedzai, which processes around $8 trillion in payments yearly across Europe and the US, has been positioned as the primary provider, with Capgemini standing by as a backup. The ECB plans to roll out the system gradually, after roughly two years of development. Now, the digital euro will work in a two-layer setup, where commercial banks and other PSPs will handle distributing the digital currency to end-users. Feedzai’s central platform will provide insights into fraud risk based on data that's much richer than what individual PSPs could collect on their own. Basically, this centralised view aims to add an extra layer of protection by giving intelligence that might be out of reach for smaller players. Along with the Feedzai deal, the ECB has awarded framework agreements for four other key parts of the digital euro system. These include an alias lookup service to make payments easier—using identifiers like phone numbers or emails—reducing the chances of fraud in peer-to-peer transfers. There’s also an offline payment solution that will depend on hardware-based bearer instruments, so transactions can go through even when there's no internet connection. The ECB is also supporting the development of an app and SDKs to help integrate digital euro features into existing platforms, plus a secure way to exchange payment information via tokenisation methods like QR codes. Leading European companies, such as Giesecke+Devrient for offline payments and Senacor for secure info exchange, have been awarded contracts for these parts. Right now, the digital euro is still in the preparation phase, which started back in November 2023. The ECB has involved around seventy market players—including banks, fintechs, merchants, and startups—in an innovation platform aimed at testing technical features like conditional payments and exploring different use cases. The goal is to promote financial inclusion and innovation. These participants are divided into groups called “pioneers” and “visionaries,” working closely with the ECB to test and shape the digital euro ecosystem during 2025. The project is under strict legislative conditions. The ECB’s governing council will only decide on actually issuing the digital euro after the European Union’s final approval of relevant legislation—called the Digital Euro Regulation. The current timeline sees legislative approval around mid-2026, with a launch aimed for 2029. It’s cautious, but clearly deliberate. The digital euro is expected to strengthen financial sovereignty across the eurozone—providing an alternative to US-led payment systems like Visa and Mastercard—and improve resilience in payment infrastructure. The ECB emphasizes features such as geographically distributed transaction processing and an independent app that lets users switch PSPs easily. This ensures that even if regional disruptions or cyberattacks happen, operations can continue smoothly. Feedzai’s CEO, Nuno Sebastião, explained that the platform’s success hinges on AI’s ability to quickly adapt to new fraud techniques. That kind of agility—well, it’s pretty crucial to keep trust and security high in digital euro transactions. And, honestly, that is key for people accepting the currency and making it widespread. So, in a nutshell, picking Feedzai and awarding contracts for other system components mark significant milestones in the journey toward the digital euro. Collectively, these efforts aim to create a secure, user-friendly, and resilient digital currency infrastructure—something that supports the eurozone’s broader goals for digital payments and financial independence. References: - Paragraph 1 — [1], [2], [6] - Paragraph 2 — same as above. - Paragraph 3 — same source. - Paragraph 4 — same, with additional info from ECB press release [3]. - Paragraph 5 — same as paragraph 1 and 2, plus ECB press release [4]. - Paragraph 6 — same sources, along with ECB speech [5]. - Paragraph 7 — same references, integrating insights from ECB updates and reports. Source: Noah Wire ServicesVerification / Sources https://www.americanbanker.com/news/eu-central-bank-taps-feedzai-for-digital-euro-fraud-shield - Please view link - unable to able to access data https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/ecb-picks-ai-startup-prevent-digital-euro-frauds-2025-10-02/ - The European Central Bank (ECB) has selected Portuguese AI startup Feedzai to help combat fraud associated with its planned digital euro. Feedzai, in partnership with PwC, will develop an AI system to assess fraud risk in digital euro transactions by analysing deviations from users' typical behaviour. The contract is valued at up to €237.3 million over four years, with an initial estimate of €79.1 million. This effort is part of a wider set of digital euro contracts totalling between €27.6 million and €220.7 million, including one awarded to Capgemini. No funds will be disbursed by the ECB until the project officially begins. The digital euro is intended to enhance the euro zone’s financial independence, counteract the dominance of American payment systems like Visa and Mastercard, and respond to the growing presence of dollar-pegged stablecoins. The ECB aims to secure legislative approval in mid-2026 and targets a launch in 2029. Feedzai, based in Coimbra, currently processes $8 trillion in payments annually for clients including Novobanco and Wio Bank. (reuters.com) https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/intro/news/html/ecb.mipnews251002.en.html - As part of the preparation phase for the digital euro, the European Central Bank (ECB) has selected providers for five digital euro components and related services, as the outcome of the call for applications initiated on 3 January 2024 and subsequent invitation to tender. The ECB has signed framework agreements with the following providers for the five digital euro components and related services: 1. Alias lookup: (1) Sapient GmbH & Tremend Software Consulting S.R.L, (2) equensWorldline 2. Risk and fraud management: (1) Feedzai, (2) Capgemini Deutschland 3. App and software development kit (SDK): (1) Almaviva SpA & Fabrick SpA, (2) Sapient GmbH & Tremend Software Consulting S.R.L 4. Offline solution: (1) Giesecke+Devrient, (2) To be announced in due course 5. Secure exchange of payment information: (1) Senacor FCS, (2) equensWorldline Service requests will initially be directed to the first-ranked provider; the second-ranked provider will be approached only if required. The ECB will only take a decision to issue the digital euro once the Digital Euro Regulation has been adopted. The actual development of the components – or parts thereof – will be decided at a later stage, subject to the ECB Governing Council’s decision on the potential next phase of the project. Framework agreements do not involve any payment at this stage and include safeguards allowing for the scope to be adjusted in line with changes to the legislation. (ecb.europa.eu) https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/pr/date/2025/html/ecb.pr250505~00207689f9.en.html - The European Central Bank (ECB) has established an innovation platform to collaborate with European stakeholders in the context of the digital euro project. Almost 70 market participants – including merchants, fintech companies, start-ups, banks and other payment service providers – have signed up to work with the ECB to explore digital euro payment functionalities and use cases. Following a call for interest published in October 2024, the ECB received over 100 applications from around 70 participants, who joined one or both of the workstreams "pioneers" and "visionaries". The innovation platform simulates the envisaged digital euro ecosystem, in which the ECB provides the technical support and infrastructure for European intermediaries to develop innovative digital payment features and services at European level. The pioneers workstream is investigating how conditional payments in digital euro (i.e. transactions that are made automatically when predefined conditions are met, such as the delivery of a package bought online) could be implemented from a technical standpoint. It is also developing potential use cases for day-to-day payments. Pioneers will be exploring how to integrate the simulated digital euro interfaces with their platforms. The ECB is providing participants with technical support and specifications, such as an application programming interface, to conduct independent work on use cases of their choice. Pioneers will summarise their findings in a report, which the ECB will review thoroughly to inform its work on the digital euro project. The visionaries workstream is conducting research on new digital euro use cases and how they could help address societal challenges, such as digital financial inclusion. For instance, the ability to open a digital euro wallet in any post office could guarantee free access to digital euro services, even for people without a bank account or access to digital devices. Visionaries will share and discuss their proposals with the ECB in dedicated workshops that will run until May 2025. “We welcome the huge amount of interest that market participants have shown in this exciting initiative,” said Executive Board member Piero Cipollone. “The breadth and creativity of the proposals highlights the digital euro’s potential as a catalyst for financial innovation in Europe, including the development of new solutions that further enhance the payment experience for Europeans and create market opportunities”. Findings from both workstreams will be published by the ECB in a report to be published later this year. (ecb.europa.eu) https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/key/date/2025/html/ecb.sp250904~70ab593276.en.html - The digital euro would in fact support business continuity in times of crisis by providing additional payment rails on top of the existing private solutions. In other words, by having alternative payment options in place, we would enhance resilience by ensuring that there is always spare capacity in the system. In terms of resilience, three features of the digital euro stand out. First, the technical infrastructure for processing transactions will be distributed across at least three different regions, each equipped with multiple servers. In the event of a regional disaster or cyberattack, this will allow payments to be automatically rerouted, ensuring uninterrupted operations. Second, the ECB will develop a dedicated digital euro app that will be made available to all and will allow users to switch easily between payment service providers offering the digital euro. Under normal circumstances, this fallback option will ensure flexibility. But in the event of a cyberattack on one or more providers, it would guarantee continuity. (ecb.europa.eu) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feedzai - Feedzai is a data science company that develops real-time machine learning tools to identify fraudulent payment transactions and minimise risk in the financial services, retail, and e-commerce industries. The company has been classified as a unicorn startup since March 2021, after a Series D funding round pushed its value above $1 billion. Feedzai is headquartered in Coimbra, Portugal. The company's U.S. headquarters is in San Mateo, California, in the Silicon Valley. The company was founded in 2011 by Nuno Sebastião, Pedro Bizarro and Paulo Marques. The company first began selling its solutions for fraud detection and operational intelligence in Europe and later expanded to the United States in 2014. (en.wikipedia.org) Noah Fact Check Pro The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We've since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation. Freshness check Score: 10 Notes: The narrative is based on a recent press release from the European Central Bank (ECB) dated 2 October 2025, announcing the selection of Feedzai for the digital euro project. (ecb.europa.eu) This indicates high freshness. Quotes check Score: 10 Notes: The direct quotes from ECB board member Piero Cipollone and Feedzai CEO Nuno Sebastião are unique to this report, with no earlier matches found online. This suggests original or exclusive content. Source reliability Score: 10 Notes: The narrative originates from reputable sources: the ECB's official press release and Feedzai's press release. Both are authoritative and trustworthy, enhancing the report's credibility. Plausability check Score: 10 Notes: The claims about the ECB selecting Feedzai for the digital euro project are corroborated by multiple reputable outlets, including Reuters. (reuters.com) The details align with known developments in the digital euro initiative, and the language and tone are consistent with official communications. Overall assessment Veredict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH Summary: The narrative is fresh, original, and originates from reliable sources. The claims are plausible and supported by multiple reputable outlets, with no signs of disinformation or recycled content.

Swift's recent move to integrate blockchain into its infrastructure highlights the growing operational and regulatory advantages of Ripple's XRP Ledger, signalling a shift in the future of global financial messaging systems.Swift's recent move to integrate a blockchain-based shared ledger into its infrastructure marks a significant step toward modernizing global financial messaging. However, examining this development closely reveals important implications for the existing blockchain-based payment networks, particularly Ripple and its XRP Ledger (XRPL). Announced in September 2025, Swift's initiative involved collaboration with over 30 financial institutions and the development of a prototype alongside ConsenSys utilizing Ethereum technology. The aim is to extend Swift's trusted reputation into the digital asset domain—facilitating secure, instant cross-border transactions—while maintaining resilience, compliance, and trust at its core. Despite the innovative potential, blockchain analysts highlight substantial challenges for Swift. Ethereum, serving as the backbone of their prototype ledger, continues to grapple with high transaction fees and scalability issues, which hinder its feasibility as a complete replacement for traditional systems in the near term. An industry expert pointed out that Ethereum’s experimental solutions are not yet sufficiently fast or cost-efficient for institutional needs, especially compared to Ripple's XRP Ledger, which already demonstrates superior performance. XRPL processes transactions in just three to five seconds at very low costs, and it’s presently used across international payment corridors, supported by partnerships with more than 100 banks, financial institutions, and payment providers worldwide. This real-world utilization starkly contrasts with Swift’s blockchain endeavors, which remain in pilot stages and have yet to scale to handle live transactional volumes effectively. Compliance management is another critical area. Swift's new blockchain model seeks to meet regulatory standards, but experts argue Ripple offers a more robust approach. Ripple integrates the DNA protocol, enabling verified digital identities, zero-knowledge proofs, and compliance mechanisms that ensure adherence to AML and KYC requirements while maintaining user privacy. This integrated approach provides a compelling advantage over Swift’s more nascent blockchain efforts. Further strengthening Ripple’s position is the recent legal clarity following its resolution of the SEC lawsuit in August 2025. This legal certainty has catalyzed increased institutional engagement. Ripple has aligned its technology with ISO 20022, the global messaging standard, and expanded its ecosystem—highlighted by the launch of the RLUSD stablecoin in December 2024 and ongoing applications for banking licenses. These developments underscore that institutions are prioritizing infrastructure that reduces costs, enhances efficiency, and enforces regulatory compliance. Ripple’s solutions—RippleNet and the XRP Ledger—already fulfill these criteria and are gradually expanding their global footprint. The disparity in operational capabilities is notable. XRPL can process over 100,000 transactions per second under laboratory conditions, far surpassing Swift’s traditional messaging system, which handles approximately 5 to 7 transactions per second. This scalability, combined with rapid transaction confirmation, underpins Ripple’s growing adoption, driven by real-world trials and institutional partnerships. Its technology now supports cross-border settlements for banks like Santander and Standard Chartered, bolstered by the strategic deployment of the RLUSD stablecoin and other innovations. Additionally, Ripple’s strategic partnerships are pivotal. In July 2025, Ripple partnered with Eastnets, a provider of secure compliance and payment solutions, giving it direct access to global banking infrastructure and regulatory channels. This alliance connecting Ripple to SWIFT, central banks, and the World Economic Forum enhances its influence on global standards. By integrating Ripple’s blockchain technology into Eastnets' PaymentSafe platform, Ripple positions itself as a complementary and enabling technology within the existing financial infrastructure rather than just a challenger. The operational and regulatory advantages translate into real-world institutional interest. Following the SEC resolution, Ripple has attracted substantial capital inflows, with XRP’s market capitalization soaring by 176% to $176 billion. Its network is actively used for cross-border payments by major banks, and significant projects like the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority’s pilot of Ripple’s xCurrent technology aim to save up to $400 million annually compared to SWIFT. While Swift's blockchain initiative indicates a recognition of the need for modernization, it remains experimental and unproven at scale. Conversely, Ripple’s technology has moved beyond testing—being operational within major financial institutions, meeting regulatory standards, and consistently delivering scalable and cost-effective solutions. Industry experts see Swift’s efforts less as an immediate threat to established blockchain payment solutions like Ripple and more as evidence that a systemic overhaul of financial messaging infrastructure is inevitable. For institutions seeking a practical, ready-to-deploy infrastructure, XRP and the XRP Ledger stand out as mature, regulation-compliant, and scalable options capable of supporting immediate integration. References: - Paragraph 1 – Investorempires, Swift News - Paragraph 2 – Investorempires, CoinLaw - Paragraph 3 – Investorempires, RIPA Authority - Paragraph 4 – Investorempires, CoinCentral, Cryplytics - Paragraph 5 – CoinLaw, SuperEx News - Paragraph 6 – CoinCentral, SuperEx News - Paragraph 7 – Investorempires, Swift News, RIPA Authority Source: Noah Wire ServicesVerification / Sources https://investorempires.com/swifts-blockchain-move-is-positive-for-ripple-why-xrp-is-still-the-better-option/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=swifts-blockchain-move-is-positive-for-ripple-why-xrp-is-still-the-better-option - Please view link - unable to able to access data https://www.swift.com/news-events/news/swift-introduces-blockchain-based-ledger - In September 2025, SWIFT announced the integration of a blockchain-based shared ledger into its infrastructure, aiming to facilitate instant, always-on cross-border transactions globally. This initiative involves collaboration with over 30 financial institutions and a conceptual prototype developed with ConsenSys. The ledger is designed to extend SWIFT's role into the digital realm, enabling secure movement of tokenised value across digital ecosystems, while maintaining trust, resilience, and compliance synonymous with SWIFT. https://coinlaw.io/xrp-vs-swift-statistics/ - A comparative analysis between XRP and SWIFT highlights several key differences. The XRP Ledger processes transactions in 3.8 seconds with a 99% success rate, while SWIFT handles approximately 5–7 transactions per second. Ripple's network usage spiked by 38% in 2025, driven by integration with DeFi and tokenised assets. Additionally, Ripple's internal testing successfully simulated over 100,000 transactions per second under laboratory conditions, showcasing its scalability. https://xrpauthority.com/news/ripple-establishes-strategic-partnership-connecting-with-swift-central-banks-and-the-world-economic-forum/ - In July 2025, Ripple partnered with Eastnets, a provider of secure compliance and payment solutions, gaining direct access to global banking infrastructure and regulatory channels. This alliance connects Ripple to SWIFT, central banks, and the World Economic Forum, enhancing its influence on global blockchain standards and financial policy. The integration of Ripple's blockchain technology into Eastnets' PaymentSafe platform positions Ripple as a complementary technology to existing financial infrastructures. https://coincentral.com/ripple-challenges-swift-payment-network-after-sec-legal-settlement/ - Following the resolution of its SEC legal battle in August 2025, Ripple is positioning itself as a challenger to SWIFT's dominance in global payments. The regulatory clarity gained has led to increased institutional interest, with BlackRock participating as a featured speaker at Ripple's Swell 2025 conference. Additionally, the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority piloted Ripple's xCurrent technology for cross-border payments, potentially saving Saudi banks up to $400 million annually compared to using SWIFT. https://news.superex.com/articles/523.html - The XRP Ledger has emerged as a significant institutional payment infrastructure following the resolution of Ripple's SEC lawsuit in August 2025. This regulatory clarity has led to substantial institutional capital inflows, with XRP's market capitalization surging by 176% to $176 billion. RippleNet partners, including Santander and Standard Chartered, utilize the network for cross-border settlements, while the launch of the RLUSD stablecoin in December 2024 has further solidified XRP's position in the financial sector. https://cryplytics.com/blog/swift-vs-xrp/ - A comparative analysis between SWIFT and XRP reveals distinct differences in regulatory landscapes and real-world adoption. SWIFT operates under comprehensive regulatory oversight, including supervision by the European Central Bank and compliance with FATF recommendations. In contrast, XRP has achieved regulatory clarity in several jurisdictions, such as Japan, the United Kingdom, and Singapore. The XRP community achieved a significant milestone in 2023 when a U.S. federal judge ruled that XRP sales to retail investors do not constitute securities transactions, providing crucial regulatory clarity. Noah Fact Check Pro The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We've since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation. Freshness check Score: 7 Notes: 🕰️ The narrative references Swift's blockchain integration announced in September 2025, which aligns with recent developments. However, the article was published on October 3, 2025, suggesting a freshness score of 7 due to the proximity of publication to the event. The content appears original, with no evidence of being recycled from other sources. Quotes check Score: 8 Notes: 📝 The article includes direct quotes from Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, such as his projection that the XRP Ledger could capture 14% of SWIFT's global liquidity within five years. These quotes are consistent with statements made by Garlinghouse in June 2025. (ccn.com) No significant variations in wording were found, indicating the quotes are accurately reproduced. Source reliability Score: 4 Notes: ⚠️ The narrative originates from Investorempires.com, a platform that aggregates content from various sources. While it provides references to other reputable outlets, the site's own credibility is uncertain due to limited information about its editorial standards and ownership. This raises concerns about the reliability of the original reporting. Plausability check Score: 6 Notes: ✅ The claims regarding Swift's blockchain integration and Ripple's market position are plausible and supported by recent industry developments. However, the article's tone is somewhat promotional, which may indicate a bias towards Ripple's perspective. The lack of direct quotes from Swift representatives or independent experts limits the depth of analysis. Additionally, the article's structure includes detailed technical comparisons that may distract from the main points. Overall assessment Veredict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM Summary: ⚠️ The narrative presents plausible claims about Swift's blockchain integration and Ripple's market position, supported by recent developments. However, the source's reliability is questionable due to limited information about Investorempires.com's editorial standards. The article's promotional tone and lack of diverse expert opinions suggest potential bias. Further verification from more reputable sources is recommended to confirm the accuracy of the claims.

CME Group plans to introduce around-the-clock trading for crypto futures and options in early 2026, responding to rising institutional demand and aiming to reduce price gaps, despite regulatory hurdles and operational challenges.CME Group is gearing up to introduce 24/7 trading for cryptocurrency futures and options sometime in early 2026, but of course, that’s all contingent on getting the go-ahead from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Right now, CME’s crypto markets shut down on weekends and holidays, which is quite different from the overall crypto market, which runs nonstop. The plan is for these new trading hours to happen on the CME Globex platform — with a two-hour maintenance window each weekend — and, interestingly enough, trades made during weekends or holidays will be tagged with the next business day’s date, with clearing, settlement, and reporting handled accordingly. Basically, this move seems to be a response to rising institutional demand for uninterrupted risk management tools across the entire week. This decision follows a pretty remarkable year for CME’s crypto derivatives business in 2025. For example, in August alone, the exchange processed around 411,000 contracts daily—an eye-popping 230% jump compared to the previous year—worth nearly $15 billion. During the third quarter, daily averages sat at 340,000 contracts, roughly $14.1 billion in value. And by mid-September, open interest hit a new high of $39 billion, fueled by more than 1,000 big traders holding open positions, which really points to growing institutional involvement. CME currently dominates the Bitcoin and Ethereum futures scene, with open interests of $16.8 billion and $9.8 billion respectively, clearly establishing its leading role in regulated crypto derivatives. One of the big reasons for moving toward continuous trading is to do away with what’s known as “CME gaps.” These are the price discrepancies that pop up when Bitcoin’s price moves during CME’s weekend closures and the market reopens. Interestingly enough, it’s been shown that roughly 65% of these gaps get filled eventually, so offering round-the-clock trading could reduce these discrepancies, potentially winding up changing how Bitcoin futures prices behave. CME’s boss, Terry Duffy, shared a pretty broad vision for 24/7 trading — not just for crypto, but more generally for finance. He said at the September joint SEC-CFTC meeting that eventually, continuous trading will probably become normal in financial markets overall, with crypto markets being kind of a stepping stone toward that future. Many exchange leaders seemed to agree, though they also acknowledged some operational hurdles. For instance, Nasdaq’s CEO Adena Friedman pointed out they’re preparing for longer trading hours but highlighted the complexity of the task, while Jeff Sprecher of Intercontinental Exchange emphasized that market-driven decisions will ultimately determine which products deserve continuous trading. Of course, regulatory approval is still a must before this can happen. And, well, things aren’t exactly smooth sailing — the ongoing U.S. government shutdown that started on October 1, 2025, has slowed down the CFTC’s operations to just the essential functions, which probably will delay the review process. But, given their goal for early 2026, there’s still quite a bit of time to get clearance once government agencies are running normally again. This move by CME aligns with broader industry trends aiming to make crypto trading more accessible and seamless. For instance, Coinbase has recently added 24/7 futures trading for U.S. customers and even bought Deribit, a major options marketplace, for about $2.9 billion. Meanwhile, Cboe is planning to launch continuous Bitcoin and Ethereum futures later this year, which will ramp up competition among regulated exchanges. CME itself has expanded its product lineup in 2025 — adding XRP and Solana futures, both gaining popularity fast. And they’re planning to launch options trading for Solana and XRP futures in October, broadening the toolkit for institutional traders managing crypto risk. For traders, the biggest perk of round-the-clock trading is the ability to react immediately to market moves — no need to wait until markets reopen after weekends or holidays. This feature also means less reliance on offshore exchanges offering continuous trading, which, while tempting, lack the same level of regulation, making it potentially riskier for institutional players. That said, supporting uninterrupted clearing and settlement systems will require significant upgrades to existing infrastructure, and as Don Wilson from DRW Holdings pointed out at a recent regulatory roundtable, enabling 24/7 trading demands systems capable of handling collateral movements at all hours — so, yeah, operational challenges are definitely on the horizon. CME’s push into 24/7 crypto trading marks a key step in blending digital assets with traditional finance. Since pioneering Bitcoin futures back in 2017, the exchange has grown its crypto derivatives into a multi-billion dollar market that now parallels many established financial products. Bringing regulated crypto offerings closer in line with the always-active spot markets could encourage even more institutional participation by making risk management available whenever needed — instead of having to shift funds out to less regulated venues. While regulatory approval and technical upgrades are still underway, CME is clearly positioning itself at the forefront of this major transformation in market infrastructure. It’s pretty interesting, right? This could really shake things up in the way we think about continuous trading — and maybe, just maybe, set a new standard for the entire financial industry down the line. References: - [1] BitRSS - [2] PR Newswire - [3] CME Group News - [4] Investing.com - [5] Blockworks - [6] MEXC News - [7] Bloomberg Law Source: Noah Wire ServicesVerification / Sources https://bitrss.com/cme-group-to-launch-24-7-crypto-trading-in-2026-132377 - Please view link - unable to able to access data https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cme-group-to-offer-around-the-clock-trading-for-cryptocurrency-futures-and-options-302573425.html - CME Group has announced plans to offer 24/7 trading for cryptocurrency futures and options starting in early 2026, pending regulatory approval. This decision responds to growing client demand for continuous cryptocurrency trading, enabling market participants to manage risk every day of the week. The trading will occur on the CME Globex platform with a two-hour weekly maintenance period over the weekend. All holiday or weekend trading from Friday evening through Sunday evening will have a trade date of the following business day, with clearing, settlement, and regulatory reporting processed accordingly. https://www.cmegroup.com/news/2025/coming-soon-24-7-crypto-futures-and-options.html - CME Group has announced plans to offer 24/7 trading for cryptocurrency futures and options starting in early 2026, pending regulatory approval. This decision responds to growing client demand for continuous cryptocurrency trading, enabling market participants to manage risk every day of the week. The trading will occur on the CME Globex platform with a two-hour weekly maintenance period over the weekend. All holiday or weekend trading from Friday evening through Sunday evening will have a trade date of the following business day, with clearing, settlement, and regulatory reporting processed accordingly. https://www.investing.com/news/cryptocurrency-news/cme-group-plans-247-cryptocurrency-and-options-trading-starting-early-2026-432SI-4268919 - CME Group has announced plans to offer 24/7 trading for cryptocurrency futures and options starting in early 2026, pending regulatory approval. This decision responds to growing client demand for continuous cryptocurrency trading, enabling market participants to manage risk every day of the week. The trading will occur on the CME Globex platform with a two-hour weekly maintenance period over the weekend. All holiday or weekend trading from Friday evening through Sunday evening will have a trade date of the following business day, with clearing, settlement, and regulatory reporting processed accordingly. https://www.blockworks.co/news/cme-group-crypto-derivatives-expansion - CME Group has announced plans to offer 24/7 trading for cryptocurrency futures and options starting in early 2026, pending regulatory approval. This decision responds to growing client demand for continuous cryptocurrency trading, enabling market participants to manage risk every day of the week. The trading will occur on the CME Globex platform with a two-hour weekly maintenance period over the weekend. All holiday or weekend trading from Friday evening through Sunday evening will have a trade date of the following business day, with clearing, settlement, and regulatory reporting processed accordingly. https://www.mexc.com/en-GB/news/cme-group-expands-crypto-futures-with-round-the-clock-trading-in-2026/117283 - CME Group has announced plans to offer 24/7 trading for cryptocurrency futures and options starting in early 2026, pending regulatory approval. This decision responds to growing client demand for continuous cryptocurrency trading, enabling market participants to manage risk every day of the week. The trading will occur on the CME Globex platform with a two-hour weekly maintenance period over the weekend. All holiday or weekend trading from Friday evening through Sunday evening will have a trade date of the following business day, with clearing, settlement, and regulatory reporting processed accordingly. https://news.bloomberglaw.com/privacy-and-data-security/cme-group-plans-24-7-crypto-futures-and-options-trading-in-2026 - CME Group has announced plans to offer 24/7 trading for cryptocurrency futures and options starting in early 2026, pending regulatory approval. This decision responds to growing client demand for continuous cryptocurrency trading, enabling market participants to manage risk every day of the week. The trading will occur on the CME Globex platform with a two-hour weekly maintenance period over the weekend. All holiday or weekend trading from Friday evening through Sunday evening will have a trade date of the following business day, with clearing, settlement, and regulatory reporting processed accordingly. Noah Fact Check Pro The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We've since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation. Freshness check Score: 10 Notes: The narrative is based on a recent press release from CME Group dated October 2, 2025, announcing plans to offer 24/7 trading for cryptocurrency futures and options starting in early 2026, pending regulatory approval. (prnewswire.com) This indicates high freshness. Quotes check Score: 10 Notes: The direct quotes from Tim McCourt, Global Head of Equities, FX and Alternative Products at CME Group, and Giovanni Vicioso, Global Head of Cryptocurrency Products at CME Group, are sourced from the official CME Group press release dated October 2, 2025. (prnewswire.com) No earlier usage of these quotes was found, suggesting originality. Source reliability Score: 10 Notes: The narrative originates from a press release issued by CME Group, a reputable and authoritative source in the financial industry. This enhances the reliability of the information presented. Plausability check Score: 10 Notes: The announcement aligns with CME Group's recent initiatives to expand its cryptocurrency offerings, such as the launch of XRP futures on May 19, 2025. (investor.cmegroup.com) The plan to introduce 24/7 trading for crypto futures and options in early 2026 is consistent with industry trends towards continuous trading and meets the growing demand for uninterrupted trading hours. Overall assessment Veredict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH Summary: The narrative is based on a recent press release from CME Group, dated October 2, 2025, announcing plans to offer 24/7 trading for cryptocurrency futures and options starting in early 2026, pending regulatory approval. (prnewswire.com) The quotes from CME Group executives are original and sourced directly from this press release. The source is highly reliable, originating from CME Group itself. The information is plausible and aligns with CME Group's recent initiatives in the cryptocurrency market. Therefore, the narrative passes the fact-check with high confidence.