Ether futures open interest on CME has surpassed $10 billion for the first time, signaling a renewed wave of institutional demand.
According to CME Group data, Ether futures open interest crossed $10 billion in August, marking a new record. The number of large traders holding at least 25 contracts also surged to 101, the highest ever, highlighting a strong resurgence of institutional participation in Ether markets.
The surge was not limited to standard futures contracts. Micro Ether futures exceeded 500,000 contracts, while Ether options open interest climbed above $1 billion. Giovanni Vicioso, CME’s global head of crypto products, noted that Ether futures are experiencing renewed momentum, reflecting a strengthening institutional ecosystem and growing professional investor interest.
Bitcoin futures, however, remain subdued. Open interest stands at 137,300 BTC, well below the December peak of 211,000 BTC. Meanwhile, U.S.-listed spot ETFs saw $3.69 billion of net inflows into Ethereum products in August, compared to $803 million in outflows from Bitcoin ETFs, signaling a clear rotation of capital toward Ethereum.
