CME Group Suspends Launch of New 24/7 Crude Oil Futures Contract
On October 2, 2026, CME Group announced it is suspending its plans to launch a new 10-barrel crude oil futures contract. The decision follows concerns raised by industry participants about the potential for unintended consequences and increased market risk from introducing continuous trading in energy without further due diligence. CME had aimed to provide a regulated alternative to existing round-the-clock oil contracts, which are often accessed illegally via offshore platforms or virtual private networks (VPNs). CME Group CEO Terry Duffy emphasized that transparency and compliance with U.S. regulations were central to the decision-making process. The company hopes the Commodity Futures Trading Commission will address regulatory imbalances in energy derivatives markets. CME remains committed to offering a wide range of global benchmark products across asset classes, including interest rates, equity indexes, foreign exchange, cryptocurrencies, and commodities.
Tickers: $CME
Topics: 24/7 trading CME Group commodities derivatives markets futures