CME Group has launched its Ether Futures product offering. The new contract is cash-settled, and based on the CME CF Ether-Dollar Reference Rate. Tim McCourt, CME Group Global Head of Equity Index and Alternative Investment Products, joins Andy to talk Ether Futures.

Guest:

Tim McCourt

Why you should listen:

Andy and Tim discuss the CME Futures markets, the role of futures in global price discovery, and how market participants use Futures to hedge their positions. Tim says, "Based on increasing client demand for our Bitcoin futures and options markets, we see the addition of Ether futures as a valuable tool to trade and hedge this growing cryptocurrency. Ethereum is the second-largest cryptocurrency by both market capitalization and daily volume. The introduction of listed Ether futures will help create a forward curve so Ethereum market participants can better manage price risk." Tim McCourt serves as CME Group's Managing Director and Global Head of Equity Index and Alternative Investment Products. He is responsible for leading the development and execution of the company's global Equity Index, Commodity Index, and Cryptocurrency product strategies. He serves on the CME Ventures Investment Committee and the S&P Dow Jones Indices U.S. Advisory Panel.

Key takeaway:

Andy asked Tim how CME Group thinks about open-source decentralized protocols such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. Tim said, "When we look at cryptocurrencies we think it's interesting in the way they are pushing out the frontier of finance. CME Group is a two-century-old institution with an innovative history itself. We've introduced all sorts of innovative financial products across that 200-year history. So when we see new technologies that can help our clients engage with markets in new ways, we adapt and innovate, and look for new ways to serve the risk management needs of our customers. I think it's exciting and interesting and I look forward to seeing how this continues to evolve."

Supporting links:

CME Group

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