CHICAGO – Trading of futures contracts tied to the cryptocurrencies Cardano (ADA), Chainlink (LINK), and Stellar (XLM) commenced Monday, February 9, on the CME Group exchange, the world’s leading derivatives marketplace, according to a press release issued Wednesday.
The first trades in Chainlink (LINK) and Stellar Lumens (XLM) futures were executed between FalconX and Marex Solutions, while the first Cardano (ADA) futures trade occurred between Cumberland DRW and Wintermute Group. The launch, initially announced January 15, 2026, offers both micro- and standard-sized contracts for each cryptocurrency.
“The early support we’ve seen for these contracts underscores growing client demand for trusted, regulated products to manage price risk and exposure in this dynamic market,” said Giovanni Vicioso, Global Head of Cryptocurrency Products at CME Group. “The addition of these futures, available in both micro- and larger-sized contracts provide investors with the flexible, capital-efficient tools they demand to support their cryptocurrency investment and hedging strategies.”
Marex Solutions’ Co-Head of Derivatives Engine, Harry Benchimol, stated that facilitating the first trades in Lumens and LINK futures “reinforces our focus on building institutional access to the next wave of crypto assets.” He added that the firm is “uniquely positioned to bring these products to institutional clients at scale.”
Joshua Lim, Global Co-head of Markets at FalconX, noted that the expansion of CME Group’s offerings provides “a richer surface of opportunities for liquid crypto funds to trade spreads and long-short pairs.” FalconX similarly indicated its support for liquidity across the new altcoin instruments.
Sudeep Gupta, Global Head of Cumberland Trading, said Cumberland DRW was “pleased to execute the first block trade in CME Group’s ADA futures,” characterizing it as “another step forward in the evolution of regulated crypto derivatives.”
Ethan Ren, Head of Options at Wintermute Group, echoed this sentiment, stating that CME Group’s expansion “is a clear reflection of how institutional participation in crypto markets is evolving.” Wintermute Group also executed the first ADA futures block trade.
The new futures contracts are designed to provide institutional investors with a regulated avenue for managing cryptocurrency price risk. CME Group offers futures and options on futures trading through the CME Globex platform, and operates CME Clearing, a central counterparty clearing provider.
