The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) reached a record daily trading volume of $13.15 billion in Bitcoin 
$96,224 futures. This increase highlights a growing interest in Bitcoin in financial markets, particularly following Trump’s re-election.
Surge in Bitcoin Futures Volume
Throughout 2024, CME’s average daily trading volume in Bitcoin futures surged to $4.56 billion. This figure has gained attention, especially after the spike observed following the FTX collapse in November 2022.
Demand from Institutional Investors
According to Vetle Lunde, head of research at K33 Research, the difference between spot prices and futures contracts rose from over 7% to more than 15% in a single day. Lunde noted that U.S. institutional investors are increasingly interested in Bitcoin futures, indicating that CME is responding to this demand.
“CME’s foundation demonstrates the rising demand for Bitcoin futures and the trend of institutional investors entering the market,” Lunde stated.
Expectations of Regulatory Flexibility
The Bitcoin options market also carries strong profit expectations as November futures expire. Contracts predict that BTC prices could exceed $80,000. These forecasts support hopes for a more flexible regulatory approach under the Trump administration.
“Trump’s promise of less intervention in U.S. regulations has created positive expectations among cryptocurrency investors,” remarked Michael Safai, co-founder of Dexterity Capital.
Additionally, offshore investors are showing interest. Contracts known as “perpetual futures” are trading at a premium over spot prices, indicating a growing demand for leveraged positions.
The post-election surge in Bitcoin prices, exceeding $75,000, further amplified demand and strengthened CME’s foundation. This scenario underscores the significant interest in the market.
In conclusion, the rise in Bitcoin futures trading signals institutional investors’ confidence in the market and regulatory expectations.
