The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) is preparing to launch spot bitcoin trading, reports the Financial Times. While the exact timing of the project’s implementation is still unknown, sources cited by the publication suggest that it could be launched by the end of 2024.
The project is currently in development, and CME Group is actively in talks with potential counterparts who are interested in investing in bitcoin but only in a regulated environment. This could significantly increase the interest of major institutional funds in the cryptocurrency market.
According to the FT, the implementation of spot bitcoin trading could lead to a significant increase in the involvement of institutional investors, similar to what happened with bitcoin futures contracts. These contracts were launched by CME Group at the end of 2017 and garnered significant interest among professional investors and financial institutions.
CME Group, the operator of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, has not yet provided any official comments on the future spot trading. Meanwhile, the Financial Times reported that cryptocurrency and fintech companies in the U.S. paid fines last year several times greater than those paid by traditional financial organizations. This underscores the growing role of regulation in the cryptocurrency industry and may serve as an additional incentive for major investors to participate in the new spot trading.
