The Chicago Mercantile Exchange introduced options trading on XRP futures, marking a major step toward institutional integration. Since May, over 567,000 XRP futures contracts—worth $26.9 billion—have traded on CME. Analysts say XRP’s options debut cements its evolution into a core financial asset and reinforces its role as a global “bridge asset.” The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) has officially launched options trading on its XRP futures contracts, signaling growing institutional interest in the digital asset. In an announcement shared on social media, CME stated, “Five months for XRP futures! Since launching in May, we’ve seen incredible demand for this regulated product.  Options on XRP futures are officially LIVE!” The move positions XRP alongside major crypto assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum, both of which already have active derivatives markets on CME. Five months for XRP futures! Since launching in May, we’ve seen incredible demand for this regulated product. Ready for more control? Options on XRP futures are officially LIVE! https://t.co/pIwU72fscT pic.twitter.com/Dr0tawBASO — CME Group (@CMEGroup) October 23, 2025 Over 567,000 Contracts Traded Since Launch Responding to CME’s post, crypto investor Stern Drew highlighted the remarkable scale of institutional participation. He wrote, “Options on XRP futures are now live. The numbers are unreal. Since launching in May, over 567,000 XRP futures contracts have traded on CME, representing a notional volume of $26.9 billion.” Also Read: Tech Researcher: ‘Ripple Can Seamlessly Integrate With SWIFT’ – Here’s How Drew emphasized that such figures reflect genuine institutional engagement rather than retail speculation, noting, “This is not retail noise. This is institutional demand moving quietly behind the scenes.” Options on XRP futures are now live. The numbers are unreal. Since launching in May, over 567,000 XRP futures contracts have traded on CME, representing a notional volume of 26.9 billion dollars. This is not retail noise. This is institutional demand moving quietly behind… https://t.co/d6oFRa2ec1 — Stern Drew (@SternDrewCrypto) October 23, 2025 XRP’s Transformation Into a Core Financial Asset According to Drew, the launch of XRP futures options represents a key milestone in the asset’s evolution from a speculative token to a fully integrated financial instrument. He wrote, “XRP is no longer a speculative play.  It has become a core financial instrument with deep liquidity and real market infrastructure.” The introduction of options products allows traders to hedge and strategize more effectively around XRP price movements, an essential step for sophisticated market participants. Bridge Asset Narrative Gaining Traction The development also strengthens XRP’s long-held “bridge asset” narrative, positioning it as a liquidity facilitator within global financial systems. Drew concluded his analysis by saying, “The bridge asset narrative is now unfolding on the world’s largest regulated derivatives exchange.” With CME’s endorsement and institutional adoption accelerating, XRP’s role within traditional finance appears to be gaining legitimacy, and potentially, permanence. Also Read: Ripple’s Bank Charter Could Push XRP to $10-Here’s What You Need to Know The post Pundit: “XRP Futures Numbers on CME are Unreal” – Here’s Why appeared first on 36Crypto. The Chicago Mercantile Exchange introduced options trading on XRP futures, marking a major step toward institutional integration. Since May, over 567,000 XRP futures contracts—worth $26.9 billion—have traded on CME. Analysts say XRP’s options debut cements its evolution into a core financial asset and reinforces its role as a global “bridge asset.” The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) has officially launched options trading on its XRP futures contracts, signaling growing institutional interest in the digital asset. In an announcement shared on social media, CME stated, “Five months for XRP futures! Since launching in May, we’ve seen incredible demand for this regulated product.  Options on XRP futures are officially LIVE!” The move positions XRP alongside major crypto assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum, both of which already have active derivatives markets on CME. Five months for XRP futures! Since launching in May, we’ve seen incredible demand for this regulated product. Ready for more control? Options on XRP futures are officially LIVE! https://t.co/pIwU72fscT pic.twitter.com/Dr0tawBASO — CME Group (@CMEGroup) October 23, 2025 Over 567,000 Contracts Traded Since Launch Responding to CME’s post, crypto investor Stern Drew highlighted the remarkable scale of institutional participation. He wrote, “Options on XRP futures are now live. The numbers are unreal. Since launching in May, over 567,000 XRP futures contracts have traded on CME, representing a notional volume of $26.9 billion.” Also Read: Tech Researcher: ‘Ripple Can Seamlessly Integrate With SWIFT’ – Here’s How Drew emphasized that such figures reflect genuine institutional engagement rather than retail speculation, noting, “This is not retail noise. This is institutional demand moving quietly behind the scenes.” Options on XRP futures are now live. The numbers are unreal. Since launching in May, over 567,000 XRP futures contracts have traded on CME, representing a notional volume of 26.9 billion dollars. This is not retail noise. This is institutional demand moving quietly behind… https://t.co/d6oFRa2ec1 — Stern Drew (@SternDrewCrypto) October 23, 2025 XRP’s Transformation Into a Core Financial Asset According to Drew, the launch of XRP futures options represents a key milestone in the asset’s evolution from a speculative token to a fully integrated financial instrument. He wrote, “XRP is no longer a speculative play.  It has become a core financial instrument with deep liquidity and real market infrastructure.” The introduction of options products allows traders to hedge and strategize more effectively around XRP price movements, an essential step for sophisticated market participants. Bridge Asset Narrative Gaining Traction The development also strengthens XRP’s long-held “bridge asset” narrative, positioning it as a liquidity facilitator within global financial systems. Drew concluded his analysis by saying, “The bridge asset narrative is now unfolding on the world’s largest regulated derivatives exchange.” With CME’s endorsement and institutional adoption accelerating, XRP’s role within traditional finance appears to be gaining legitimacy, and potentially, permanence. Also Read: Ripple’s Bank Charter Could Push XRP to $10-Here’s What You Need to Know The post Pundit: “XRP Futures Numbers on CME are Unreal” – Here’s Why appeared first on 36Crypto.