CME certifies standard and micro Bitcoin and Ether futures offsets

What changed

CME certified amendments adding Bitcoin, Micro Bitcoin, Ether, and Micro Ether futures to Rule 855's table for offsetting positions in different-sized contracts. The table uses a 50-to-1 relationship for Micro Bitcoin and Bitcoin futures and a 500-to-1 relationship for Micro Ether and Ether futures, with reciprocal ratios of 0.02 and 0.002. CME scheduled effectiveness for September 13, 2026, for trade date September 14, and set position-transfer fees of $0.60 per contract side for Bitcoin offsets and $0.10 per contract side for Ether offsets, subject to the CFTC's certification-review authority.

Who it affects

• FCMs carrying opposite standard and micro Bitcoin or Ether futures positions
• CTAs, CPOs, advisers, and clients using CME Bitcoin or Ether futures

What is still open

• Whether the CFTC will notify CME of review or otherwise stay the certified amendment before its scheduled effective date
• How individual FCMs will operationalize and make the offset process available to customers

What it means for an advisor

• Confirm each executing and carrying broker's implementation date, eligibility process, and customer treatment for Rule 855 offsets
• Update margin, fee, position-transfer, and reconciliation procedures for portfolios using both standard and micro crypto futures
• Do not assume an offset is available until the carrying FCM confirms operational support