New details have been posted about CME Group’s upcoming bitcoin futures, which – barring any delays from regulators – will start trading on Dec. 11.
The derivatives exchange operator has published information about the contract launch on its website, following CME CEO Terry Duffy’s headline-grabbing announcement from last week. At the time, Duffy said that trading could go live as early as the second week of December.
Now, the company has all but confirmed that statement, writing on its website:
“Effective Sunday[,] 10 December 2017 for trade date Monday[,] 11 December 2017, and pending all relevant regulatory review periods, please be advised that CME will launch Bitcoin Futures.”
Each contract will constitute 5 BTC, as previously reported by Business Insider, trading on both the CME Globex and CME ClearPort systems and using CME’s existing bitcoin price indices. Spot position limits are set at 1,000 contracts, according to the company.
For the contracts, CME explained, minimum price fluctuations (or “ticks”) are pegged at $5 per bitcoin, representing a total of $25 for each one.
Additional materials posted on CME’s website also indicates how it will handle potentially large swings in the price of bitcoin.
“Special price fluctuation limits equal to 7% above and below prior settlement price and 13% above and below prior settlement price and a price limit of 20% above or below the previous settlement price. Trading will not be permitted outside the 20% above and below prior settlement price,” the company explained.
Disclosure: CME Group is an investor in Digital Currency Group, CoinDesk’s parent company.
CME logo image via Shutterstock
The leader in blockchain news, CoinDesk is an independent media outlet that strives for the highest journalistic standards and abides by a strict set of editorial policies. Have breaking news or a story tip to send to our journalists? Contact us at [email protected].
Disclaimer: This article should not be taken as, and is not intended to provide, investment advice. Please conduct your own thorough research before investing in any cryptocurrency.
https://www.coindesk.com/cmes-bitcoin-futures-likely-start-trading-december-11/
