CME Group (Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group) launched Nasdaq CME Crypto Index futures on June 10. At maturity, the contracts are settled in cash based on the value of the Nasdaq CME Crypto Settlement Price Index. The index tracks Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, Cardano, Chainlink, and Stellar.
Index constituents: 8 confirmed crypto assets as of June 9, 2026
Per announcements from CME Group and PRNewswire, the constituents of the Nasdaq CME Crypto Settlement Price Index are as follows:
· Bitcoin (BTC)
· Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
· Ethereum (ETH)
· Solana (SOL)
· XRP
· Cardano (ADA)
· Chainlink (LINK)
· Stellar (XLM)
The announcement does not specify the specific weights of each constituent asset, the weight calculation method, or the frequency of constituent adjustments.
Contract structure: cash settlement mechanism and confirmed specifications
Based on the contract design confirmed in CME Group’s official announcement:
Settlement method: The contract is cash-settled at maturity, with the settlement benchmark being the index value of the Nasdaq CME Crypto Settlement Price Index on the maturity date.
Tracking underlying: The index measures the performance of a portfolio of the largest, most actively traded crypto assets by market cap.
Contract positioning: CME Group defines this contract as a regulated futures market tool, providing capital efficiency and transparency. The announcement does not specify the contract multiplier, margin requirements, or the specific minimum tick size.
Official statements: confirmations from three institutions
Giovanni Vicioso, Global Head of Crypto Currency Products at CME Group: “In today’s volatile markets, investors are increasingly looking to diversify their investment in the crypto ecosystem while maintaining the capital efficiency and transparency of regulated futures markets. These contracts provide clients with a cost-effective tool that can be used to hedge risk or directly capture broad crypto investment opportunities.”
Sean Wasserman, Head of Index Products Management at Nasdaq: “As investor participation in digital assets continues to grow, demand for benchmark indices is also increasing. These benchmark indices should have the same governance and transparency as other asset classes. Futures linked to indices are a natural extension of how the index framework supports market development.”
Mick McLaughlin, CEO of Hashdex US and Global Distribution Director: “The launch of NCI futures marks an important step forward in allowing investors and advisors to actively manage and hedge crypto investment portfolios using a regulated, index-driven approach.”
FAQ
How are Nasdaq CME crypto index futures different from bitcoin single-asset futures?
Bitcoin futures track the price of a single crypto asset; Nasdaq CME crypto index futures track the index value composed of 8 crypto assets, and they are cash-settled based on the index value at maturity, rather than the spot prices of individual assets. The announcement does not provide a specification comparison between the two.
Will the index constituents be adjusted based on market conditions?
The announcement confirms the 8 constituent assets as of June 9, 2026, but does not explain the conditions, frequency, or decision-making entity for any constituent adjustments. Specific details of the governance mechanism of the Nasdaq CME Crypto Settlement Price Index were not disclosed in this announcement.
What is Hashdex’s specific role in this release?
CME Group’s announcement cites a statement from Hashdex US CEO, confirming Hashdex’s supportive stance toward this release, stating that it aligns with its goal of providing institutional-grade digital asset investment channels since 2018. The announcement does not specify Hashdex’s specific functions in contract design, distribution, or liquidity provision.
