Feb 10, 2026
CME Launches CFB-Powered Cardano, Chainlink and Lumens Futures
CME Group futures coverage now includes alt heavyweights Cardano, Chainlink and Stellar.
Three New Contracts, Two Sizes
CF Benchmarks congratulates CME Group on the latest expansion of its regulated crypto derivatives suite with the launch of Cardano (ADA), Chainlink (LINK) and Lumens (XLM) futures. The contracts are listed in both standard and micro sizes, offering participants more flexible ways to calibrate exposure and risk across three widely followed networks.
CME Group x CF Benchmarks
For CF Benchmarks, these listings extend our long-standing and exclusive partnership with CME Group. Just like all other CME Group crypto contracts, the new futures are cash-settled to CF Benchmarks-administered CME CF Reference Rates, all of which are Registered Benchmarks under the UK (and EU-aligned) Benchmarks Regulation framework, authorized by the UK FCA, and designed to provide robust, transparent settlement mechanisms aligned with institutional market requirements.
Crypto Cadence
Ultimately benefiting a large swathe of market participants, this latest batch of crypto contract launches maintains the quickened cadence of CME Group’s new digital asset listings of recent years, relative to the frequency at which the group added new crypto contracts during earlier phases of institutional adoption.
New Contracts at a Glance
The new contracts come in two sizing options for each asset, a Standard size, and a Micro contract, enabling participants to calibrate hedges and tactical positioning to tighter levels of ‘risk granularity’ and efficiency.
The contracts together with their respective CME CF Reference Rates, contract sizes, and CME Globex/ClearPort Product Codes, are summarized below.
Why ADA, LINK, XLM?
The new crypto futures represent some of the largest digital assets, in market capitalization terms, for which contracts were not yet available to trade at the world’s leading derivatives marketplace; after XRP and Solana futures joined CME’s longer-standing suite of Bitcoin and Ether contracts in 2025.
Cardano (ADA), Chainlink (LINK) and Stellar Lumens (XLM) are notably constituents of the CF Benchmarks CF Capitalization Series of indices. These multi-asset gauges are Registered Benchmarks under UK BMR that are designed to provide exposure to crypto assets with the largest full market capitalizations, and which have also passed eligibility screens related to regulatory, liquidity, and custody requirements, among others.
More about ADA, LINK and XLM
Cardano (ADA) is a proof‑of‑stake smart-contract platform designed for decentralized applications, with a market capitalization of approximately $9.5 billion at the time of writing.
Chainlink (LINK) underpins a widely used oracle network that helps connect smart contracts to external data and services—an important layer for on-chain financial and data-driven applications. LINK’s market capitalization stood at roughly $6bn as of the launch of the new CME contracts.
Stellar Lumens (XLM) is a payments-focused network aimed at efficient value transfer, with a long-running emphasis on cross-border settlement and tokenized representations of value. XLM’s market cap was around $5bn at the time of writing.
Wider Scope
These additional contracts broaden the scope of regulated exposure that can be obtained to underlying crypto assets, together with sizing choices that enable integration within existing institutionally focused trading and operational processes.
Whether in support of hedging, basis and relative-value positioning, or more precise risk budgeting; for institutional participants, the CME’s suite of CFTC-regulated cryptocurrency futures serves a well-understood set of critical purposes. These facilities are now available for ADA, LINK and XLM risk exposures.
Click below to learn more about CME Cardano, Chainlink and Stellar futures.
Explore the regulated CF Benchmarks indices behind the new CME ADA, LINK and XLM futures.
The information contained within is for educational and informational purposes ONLY. It is not intended nor should it be considered an invitation or inducement to buy or sell any of the underlying instruments cited including but not limited to cryptoassets, financial instruments or any instruments that reference any index provided by CF Benchmarks Ltd. This communication is not intended to persuade or incite you to buy or sell security or securities noted within. Any commentary provided is the opinion of the author and should not be considered a personalised recommendation. Please contact your financial adviser or professional before making an investment decision.
Note: Some of the underlying instruments cited within this material may be restricted to certain customer categories in certain jurisdictions.
CME Launches CFB-Powered Cardano, Chainlink and Lumens Futures
CME adds Cardano (ADA), Chainlink (LINK) and Lumens (XLM) to its suite of CF Benchmarks-settled crypto futures.
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