This FAQ is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute the rendering of legal or other professional advice. Individuals and entities should in all cases seek advice from their independent legal and professional advisors regarding the matters discussed below.

1. What is the relationship between Bitcoin futures and the underlying spot market?

CME Bitcoin futures are based on the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate (BRR), which aggregates bitcoin trading activity across major bitcoin spot exchanges between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. London time.

2. On which exchange is Bitcoin futures listed?

Bitcoin futures are listed and cleared on CME, a US-registered designated contract market (DCM) and derivatives clearing organization (DCO).

3. What regulation applies to the trading of Bitcoin futures?

The trading and clearing of Bitcoin futures is regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the regulatory body with exclusive jurisdiction over US Bitcoin futures markets.

4. What accounting and other regulatory treatment is afforded to Bitcoin futures in my local jurisdiction?

As with any other derivatives product, the accounting treatment of positions in Bitcoin futures, and the general local regulatory treatment of trading in Bitcoin derivatives, may differ by country and between competent jurisdictions. Market participants are responsible for complying with all applicable US and local requirements. Market participants, particularly those with no experience in trading Bitcoin derivatives, should seek professional counsel as necessary and appropriate to their circumstances.

5. Which platforms support Bitcoin futures trading?

Central limit order book via the CME Globex platform and ex-pit trade submission for clearing via CME ClearPort and CME Direct.

6. Do I need a digital wallet to trade Bitcoin futures?

No. You do not need a digital wallet, because Bitcoin futures are financially-settled and therefore do not involve the exchange of bitcoin. In order to trade futures, you must open an account with a registered futures broker who will maintain your account and guarantee your trades. In the futures business, brokerage firms are known as either a futures commission merchant (FCM), or an introducing broker (IB). Learn More

Product Details

7. What are the contract specifications?

Contract Unit 5 bitcoin Minimum Price Fluctuation Outright: $5.00 per bitcoin = $25.00 per contract

Calendar Spread: $1.00 per bitcoin = $5.00 per contract Trading Hours CME Globex: 5:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Central Time Sunday – Friday.

CME ClearPort: 6:00pm Sunday to 5:45pm Friday Central Time with a 15-minute maintenance window between 5:45pm to 6:00pm Central Time Monday- Thursday Product Code Outright: BTC Listing Cycle Nearest two Decembers and nearest six consecutive months. If nearest six consecutive months comprise nearest December, one additional deferred December will be listed. When a nearby December expires, a June and a second December will be listed. Termination of Trading Last Day of Trading is the last Friday of contract month. Trading in expiring futures terminates at 4:00 p.m. London time on Last Day of Trading. Position Limits Spot Position Limits are set at 2,000 contracts. A position accountability level of 5,000 contracts will be applied to positions in single months outside the spot month and in all months combined. Block Minimum 5 contracts Price Limits Price Limits Settlement Cash settled by reference to final settlement price, equal to the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate (BRR) on last day of trading.

8. Are Bitcoin futures available for trading 24/7?

Yes, BTC can be transacted 24/7. Bilateral transactions such as block trades, pursuant to Rule 526, and EFRPs (Exchange for Related Position), pursuant to Rule 538, may be negotiated/executed 24/7 and must be submitted for clearing during the appropriate clearing session. Globex, our electronic platform, is available 23 hours per day beginning Sunday evening at 5∶00pm Central Time and ending at 4∶00pm CT Friday afternoon.

9. Are bitcoin futures block eligible?

Yes, block transactions are allowed for Bitcoin futures, subject to reporting requirements per Rule 526. The minimum block threshold is 5 contracts.

10. Are Bitcoin futures EFP/EFRP-eligible?

Yes, Bitcoin futures are EFP/EFRP-eligible. Learn more here

11. How is the Bitcoin futures daily settlement price determined?

Daily settlement is based on the volume-weighted average price (VWAP) of CME Globex trades between 2:59:00 p.m. and 3:00:00 p.m. Central Time rounded to the nearest tradable tick.

12. Are Bitcoin futures subject to price limits?

Yes, Bitcoin futures are subject to price limits on a dynamic basis. At the commencement of each trading day, Bitcoin futures, are assigned a price limit variant which equals a percentage of the prior day’s Exchange-determined settlement price, or a price deemed appropriate by the GCC. During the trading day, the dynamic variant is applied in rolling 60-minute look-back periods to establish dynamic lower and upper price fluctuation limits as follows: The dynamic variant are subtracted from the highest trade and/or bid price during a look-back period to establish the lower price fluctuation limit

The dynamic variant are added to the lowest trade and/or offer price during a look-back period to establish the upper price fluctuation limit

13. How is Bitcoin futures final settlement price determined?

The final settlement value is based on the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate (BRR) at 4:00 p.m. London time on the expiration day of the futures contract.

14. What is the maximum order size for Bitcoin futures on CME Globex?

The maximum order size is 100 contracts.

15. Are options on Bitcoin futures available for trading?

Yes, based on growing interest in cryptocurrencies and strong demand for more tools to manage bitcoin exposure, CME Group listed options on Bitcoin futures on January 13, 2020. See more at cmegroup.com/bitcoinoptions

16. Through which market data channel are these products available?

Bitcoin futures real-time market data is available on MDP Channel 318, and Bitcoin futures historical data is available through CME DataMine. Additionally, real time-market data for the underlying BRR Index is available through MDP Channel 213 during normal market hours, while also available 24/7 through CME DataMine’s Streaming Service. BRR and BRTI historical data is available through CME DataMine. Access CME DataMine

CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate (BRR)

17. What is the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate (BRR)?

Designed by CME Group and CF Benchmarks, around the IOSCO Principles for Financial Benchmarks, the BRR is a daily reference rate of the U.S. Dollar price of one bitcoin as of 4:00 p.m. London time. It is representative of the bitcoin trading activity on Constituent Exchanges and is geared towards resilience and replicability. Learn more about the BRR

18. How is the BRR calculated?

The BRR is calculated based on the relevant bitcoin transactions on all Constituent Exchanges between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. London time. The price and size of each relevant transaction is recorded and added to a list which is portioned into 12 equally-weighted time intervals of 5 minutes each. For each partition, a volume-weighted median trade price is calculated from the trade prices and sizes of the relevant transactions across all the Constituent Exchanges. The BRR is then determined by taking an equally-weighted average of the volume-weighted medians of all partitions. View BRR Methodology

19. Where can I find more information on the BRR Constituent Exchanges?

20. Are Constituent Exchanges KYC/AML (Know Your Client/Anti-Money Laundering) compliant?

Although all Constituent Exchanges in the BRR are unregulated, each exchange has proactively instituted KYC/AML policies.

Fee & Margin Details

21. What are the fees for Bitcoin futures?

Fees can be found on the CME Fee Schedule. View latest Fee Schedule

22. In which division do Bitcoin futures reside?

Bitcoin futures are listed on CME and reside in the IOM Division.

23. What are the margin requirements for Bitcoin futures?

Exchange margin requirements may be found at cmegroup.com. Note: clearing firms may require a margin level beyond CME Clearing’s minimum requirement.

24. Is there a cap on clearing liability for Bitcoin futures?

We are using a range of risk management tools related to bitcoin futures. CME Clearing retains the right to impose exposure limits, additional capital requirements, and other targeted risk management tools if we see exposures that we determine might become a concern in any product or market. Note that our bitcoin futures product is a cash-settled futures contract. As such, margins will be set in line with the volatility and liquidity profile of the product. Further, we also have the ability for clearing members to impose trading or exposure limits on their clients. Other tools may include increased capital or margin requirements in cases where exposures increase beyond reasonable levels.

25. Where do Bitcoin futures fall in CME Clearing’s guarantee fund?

Bitcoin futures fall into CME’s Base Guaranty Fund for futures and options on futures. For all other inquiries regarding margins or CME Clearing’s approach to risk management, please contact clearing.riskmanagement@cmegroup.com.

Calendar Spreads

26. What calendar spreads does CME Group list?

CME Group will list all possible combinations of the listed months.

27. What are the ticker symbol conventions for calendar spread trading?

Buying the spread is equivalent to buying the deferred contract month, for example: BTCF0 – BTCH0 is the Jan20/Mar20 spread. Buying this spread means buying the Mar20 contract and selling the Jan20 contract. If you are long the Jan20 contract, buying the Jan/Mar spread will extend your expiration into March. View contract month codes

28. What does the spread price signify? How are separate contract priced when I do a spread trade?

The price of the spread trade is the price of the deferred expiration less the price of the nearby expiration. After the spread trade is done, the price of the two contracts will be determined using the following convention: The nearby contract is priced at its daily settlement price on the previous day. The deferred contract is priced is nearby contract’s assigned price plus the spread price. For example, Bought BTCF0-BTCH0 @-100

Assuming BTCF0 prior settle = 9455

Price of the two legs: sold BTCF0 @ 9455, bought BTCH0 @ 9455 + (-100) = 9355.

Additional Information

29. What is CME Group’s policy regarding hard forks?

In the event of a hard fork, bitcoin futures shall continue to settle to the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate corresponding to the original token pair (BTC:USD). The Exchange may, in its sole discretion, take alternative action with respect to hard forks in consultation with market participants as may be appropriate.

30. How can I access CME Globex?

To access CME Globex, you must have a relationship with a CME Clearing Member Firm. Learn more about connecting to CME Globex

31. Where can I find more information on CME Bitcoin futures?

Visit www.cmegroup.com/bitcoinfutures for the latest information on Bitcoin futures.

32. Where can I see prices for Bitcoin futures?

Delayed quotes will be available on cmegroup.com. You can also access quotes through major quote vendors. View delayed quotes Learn more about CME Direct

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