TLDR
- CME Group plans to offer 24/7 cryptocurrency futures and options trading starting in early 2026
- Bitcoin recently touched $121,000, approaching its all-time high of $124,000 from August
- Government shutdown has historically been positive for risk assets including Bitcoin
- Gold reaching new highs above $3,900 with analysts suggesting Bitcoin could hit $165,000
- ETFs saw nearly $2.4 billion in combined Bitcoin and Ethereum inflows this week
The cryptocurrency market is showing strong momentum as Bitcoin approaches previous highs while major financial institutions plan to expand their crypto offerings. The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Group has announced plans to offer round-the-clock trading for cryptocurrency futures and options beginning in early 2026, pending regulatory review.
This expansion represents a major shift for the derivatives marketplace, which currently pauses trading on weekends, holidays, and outside normal business hours. The move comes in response to growing client demand for continuous risk management capabilities in the volatile crypto markets.
“While not all markets lend themselves to operating 24/7, client demand for around-the-clock cryptocurrency trading has grown as market participants need to manage their risk every day of the week,” explained Tim McCourt, CME Group’s global head of equities, FX, and alternative products.
The CME Group currently handles substantial cryptocurrency trading volume. As of mid-September, the exchange reported a notional open interest volume of approximately $39 billion, while global crypto derivatives open interest stood at about $3.2 billion according to CoinMarketCap data.
The regulatory review process for the new trading options will be conducted by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). However, the review may face delays due to the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, which has placed the CFTC on reduced operations.
Bitcoin Price Movement
While the 24/7 trading expansion is still in the future, current market conditions are favorable for cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin touched the $121,000 mark on Thursday, reaching its highest point since mid-August and approaching its all-time high of around $124,000 set on August 14.
Ethereum has also performed well, trading above $4,500 – its strongest level in three weeks.
The positive price movement comes despite – or perhaps because of – the U.S. government shutdown that began on October 1. Historical data shows that the S&P 500 has advanced during every government closure since 1990, and with Bitcoin’s increased correlation to traditional markets, similar patterns may be emerging for cryptocurrencies.
Bitcoin may also be catching up to gold’s recent rally. Gold prices reached a fresh all-time high above $3,900, with analysts at JPMorgan suggesting Bitcoin looks undervalued relative to gold on a volatility-adjusted basis. This analysis implies potential upside toward $165,000 for Bitcoin by year-end.
Market Outlook
The current market dynamics appear to align with seasonal trends. October has historically been Bitcoin’s strongest month, averaging gains of more than 14% since 2013, leading some to call it “Uptober” in crypto circles.
“Early signs suggest this year may be no exception,” noted Gadi Chait, head of investment at Xapo Bank. “Even the U.S. government shutdown hasn’t derailed momentum, showing how resilient bitcoin has become of late.”
Crypto-related stocks are also performing well in this environment. Shares of Coinbase rose by more than 7%, while Bullish and Circle saw even larger gains of 11% and 16% respectively.
Adding to the positive market sentiment are substantial inflows into crypto investment vehicles. Nearly $2.4 billion flowed into combined Bitcoin and Ethereum funds this week.
The broader economic environment also supports cryptocurrency prices. CME FedWatch data indicates markets are pricing a nearly 98% chance of another quarter-point interest rate cut at the Federal Reserve’s October meeting. The central bank lowered rates in September for the first time in four years, which provided an initial boost to both equities and cryptocurrencies.
The CME Group’s CEO Terrence Duffy commented during a recent joint roundtable discussion between the SEC and CFTC that “the market is going to demand” 24/7 trading soon, and cryptocurrency was the “best way to get there.”
The post Bitcoin (BTC) Price: Trading Near $121,000 as CME Group Announces 24/7 Trading Plans for 2026 appeared first on Blockonomi.
This articles is written by : Nermeen Nabil Khear Abdelmalak
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