The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Group has announced its plan to introduce Ether/Bitcoin ratio futures on July 31, pending regulatory approval.
This new product allows traders to speculate on the price movements between these two popular cryptocurrencies. CME Group’s ether futures will determine the settlement of these futures contracts by dividing their final prices with the prices of its bitcoin futures.
Therefore the Ether/Bitcoin ratio futures listing cycle will follow the same schedule as the existing Bitcoin and Ether futures contracts offered by CME Group.
The relative value between two commodities forms the basis for ratio futures contracts. Traders can profit from the price fluctuations between these commodities.
They settle the trades in cash by calculating the difference between the contract price and the spot price at the time of settlement. Giovanni Vicioso, the global head of cryptocurrency products at CME Group, highlighted the potential trading opportunities between ether and bitcoin.
While these assets have historically shown a strong correlation, Vicioso noted that their market dynamics may have changed, presenting opportunities to profit from their performance variations.
Introducing Ether/Bitcoin ratio futures will enable investors to gain exposure to both cryptocurrencies in a single trade. This eliminates the need for a directional perspective.
This new offering will provide various trading techniques and hedging options for many clients. CME Group has been expanding its cryptocurrency-related products and services.
CME Group’s Expanding Crypto Offerings
Despite concerns about market manipulation and volatility, institutional investors have embraced Bitcoin futures since their introduction in 2017, recognizing them as an essential tool.
In February 2021, eEher futures were added to their lineup. They further expanded their portfolio by including Micro Bitcoin futures, Micro Ether futures, and Euro-denominated Bitcoin and Ether futures. Coinbase, a US-based cryptocurrency exchange, also aims to offer futures contracts for bitcoin and ether to attract institutional investors.