Ripple Prime has taken center stage as the clearing and financing partner for the new 24/7 crypto futures and options marketplace launched by CME Group, one of the world’s largest derivatives exchanges. On May 29, CME Group expanded its crypto derivatives trading hours, now offering investors uninterrupted access to the market at any time of day.
Surge in weekend trading volume
According to CME data, more than 7,200 contracts changed hands during the very first week of round-the-clock trading. The total notional value of these trades crossed $50 million, driven by active participation from both retail and institutional investors.
This move is considered particularly significant for institutional clients who need to trade outside of regular banking hours. To allow continuous trading during weekends and non-business hours, CME required an uninterrupted infrastructure for clearing, collateral management, and financing—this is precisely where Ripple Prime stepped in to provide crucial support as a registered futures commission merchant.
Noel Kimmel, President of Ripple Prime, emphasized that the company’s infrastructure was purpose built to meet the demand for digital asset management around the clock.
Clearing infrastructure sets new standard
Whenever institutional clients execute trades over the weekend on CME’s Globex platform, these transactions are settled through Ripple Prime’s infrastructure. Without such a system, traditional clearing processes would stall, resulting in potential liquidity gaps between the exchange and corporate balance sheets.
Ripple Prime is recognized as the rebranded entity of Hidden Road, a brokerage firm previously acquired by Ripple. The company now delivers institutional-grade market infrastructure and brokerage services to a growing client base.
XRP futures see record-breaking growth
CME Group listed XRP futures contracts for the first time in May 2025. Notably, the inaugural block trade took place on Sunday, May 18, and its clearing was handled by Hidden Road, soon after rebranded as Ripple Prime.
According to figures cited in the report, XRP futures reached $1 billion in open interest faster than any other product in CME history, surpassing this milestone in just three months. This rapid ascent signals a dramatic increase in institutional appetite for XRP-linked derivative products.
With CME’s expanded trading hours, weekend liquidity in the crypto derivatives space is expected to become increasingly visible. Ripple Prime’s role is particularly crucial in maintaining seamless clearing and collateral processes for XRP-related products, reinforcing the connectivity between traditional and digital markets.
