- Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse hailed the upcoming launch of XRP futures on CME Group as a key step in XRP’s growth, aiming to attract institutional investors.
- The launch, scheduled for May 19, is expected to enhance XRP’s credibility and could pave the way for an XRP ETF approval in the U.S.
Ripple CEO Calls XRP Futures a Crucial Step Forward
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse recently shared his excitement about the upcoming launch of XRP futures on CME Group’s trading platform, calling it an incredibly important development for XRP’s growth. Garlinghouse, in a statement, acknowledged that the XRP futures launch was long overdue, considering the cryptocurrency’s existence since 2012 and its increasing volume in the market.
Despite the delay, Garlinghouse emphasized that the launch of XRP futures on a Tier-1 derivatives exchange like CME Group would be pivotal in attracting professional investors and hedge funds to XRP. According to him, it’s not just about adding another financial product; it’s about providing regulated exposure to XRP, which could open doors to future offerings such as spot ETFs.
CME Group Confirms XRP Futures Launch on May 19
CME Group officially confirmed the launch of XRP futures on May 19, pending approval from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). This announcement marks a significant moment for XRP, as the futures product will allow investors to hedge against XRP’s future price movements without the need to own the asset or set up a blockchain wallet.
CME Group will offer two sizes of futures contracts: the standard Ripple futures, with a contract size of 50,000 XRP for institutional players, and the micro XRP futures (MXP), tailored for retail investors with a contract size of 2,500 XRP. Both contracts will settle in cash, meaning investors will receive cash instead of physical XRP upon contract expiration.
CME Joins Growing List of Derivatives Exchanges Offering XRP Futures
CME’s launch will make it the third derivatives exchange in the U.S. to offer Ripple futures, following Bitnomial’s launch on March 20 and Coinbase’s release on April 21. However, CME’s influence in the derivatives market is undeniable—being the largest derivatives exchange in the world. In Q1 2025, CME recorded an impressive average trading volume of 198,000 contracts.
Garlinghouse believes that the introduction of XRP futures on CME Group will further solidify XRP’s credibility, paving the way for continued growth. The futures product is also seen as a potential stepping stone for the approval of an XRP ETF in the U.S., as the SEC typically looks for a futures market for a crypto asset before approving it for an ETF.
The launch of XRP futures on CME Group could undoubtedly signal a new era for XRP, with more institutional interest and a regulated investment product becoming available.
