CME Adds XRP Futures—But Memecoins Left Out
The CME Group, which runs the biggest futures and options exchange globally, just rolled out XRP futures. That puts XRP in the same category as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana—all of which already had futures trading on the platform. Some see this as a step toward a potential XRP spot ETF, though nothing’s confirmed yet.
But here’s the twist: while XRP gets a spot at the table, memecoins like Dogecoin or Trump Coin won’t be joining anytime soon. Despite other firms pushing for memecoin-related ETFs, CME isn’t biting.
Why Memecoins Got the Cold Shoulder
Gio Vicioso, CME’s global head of crypto products, made it pretty clear. The exchange focuses on cryptocurrencies with actual use cases—not the ones driven mostly by speculation or internet hype. “We build products around assets that have real utility,” he said. “Memecoins don’t fit that criteria, so we’re not planning anything there.”
It’s a deliberate choice, especially when other asset managers are racing to capitalize on memecoin mania. VanEck and 21Shares, for example, have been working on spot ETFs tied to Dogecoin and even Trump-themed tokens. CME, though, seems to be playing the long game, sticking with assets that have clearer fundamentals.
Will CME Go 24/7?
Another thing on the table—though not finalized—is shifting to round-the-clock trading. Right now, CME’s crypto products take a break between Friday evening and Sunday night, which doesn’t exactly match the nonstop nature of crypto markets. Vicioso mentioned they’re “considering” closing that gap, especially as demand grows. But no official move has been made yet.
It’s a tricky balance. Traditional markets have set hours for a reason, but crypto never sleeps. If CME does make the switch, it could pull in more traders who don’t want to hit pause for the weekend.
For now, though, the big takeaway is XRP’s inclusion and the firm “no” to memecoins. Whether that changes down the line—well, who knows? Crypto’s unpredictable like that.
*Not financial advice, obviously. Just the facts.
