Expanded License Granted for Nasdaq-100 Futures Contracts by CME
In a significant move for the global financial markets, CME Group and Nasdaq have extended their exclusive licensing agreement for futures and options on Nasdaq indexes, including the Nasdaq-100, through 2039. This extension continues a partnership that began nearly 30 years ago with the launch of Nasdaq-100 futures in 1996.
Since the previous license extension in 2019, the average daily volume (ADV) of CME's Nasdaq-100 futures and options on futures has more than doubled. In 2025, the year-to-date ADV has surpassed 2.5 million contracts, marking a 22% increase year over year. This growth is a testament to the strong demand and liquidity in these products.
CME Group's financial performance reflects this growth, with an 11.7% revenue growth over the last twelve months and a robust market capitalization of $98.7 billion. This solidifies CME Group's position as a market leader in the financial sector.
The most actively traded financial products under this arrangement are the Nasdaq-100 futures and options on futures. These products serve as essential tools for global market participants to hedge, speculate, and gain exposure to the technology-heavy Nasdaq-100 index.
Within this suite, Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures Q2 ADV increased by 39% to 1.3 million contracts. These Nasdaq futures and options on futures are among the world's most actively traded financial products.
The ten-year extension of the agreement reinforces the commitment of both parties to delivering enduring value through trusted benchmark products. This extension provides global market participants with continued access to CME Group's deeply liquid Nasdaq futures and options on futures.
In summary, the history of this partnership traces back almost three decades, the growth is evidenced by significant volume and revenue increases, and the core product focus remains on Nasdaq-100 futures and options, now secured under the license through 2039. This extension cements CME Group's exclusive status as the provider of these derivatives on Nasdaq indexes for another decade, supporting their continued expansion and innovation in futures markets.
[1] Source: CME [2] Nasdaq is a leading global provider of trading, clearing, exchange technology, listing, information, and public company services. [3] Across the entire suite of Nasdaq-100 futures and options on futures, ADV has climbed to more than 2.5 million contracts year-to-date, up 22% year over year. [4] CME Group operates the largest equity index futures complex in the world. [5] More than 2.8 billion contracts of CME Group's Nasdaq-100 futures and options on futures have been traded. [6] The Nasdaq-100 Index is a cornerstone of modern investing, reflecting the performance of companies at the forefront of innovation and economic transformation. [7] The partnership between CME Group and Nasdaq has helped build a robust derivatives ecosystem that supports investor confidence and market integrity. [8] The partnership between CME Group and Nasdaq has enabled clients to manage risk or gain exposure to the 100 largest non-financial companies listed on Nasdaq. [9] E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures have become one of the world's most actively traded equity index futures contracts. [10] The extended agreement will provide global market participants with continued access to CME Group's deeply liquid Nasdaq futures and options on futures. [11] Within that suite, Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures Q2 ADV increased 39% to 1.3 million contracts. [12] These Nasdaq futures and options on futures are among the world's most actively traded financial products. [13] The ten-year extension of the agreement reinforces the commitment of both parties to delivering enduring value through trusted benchmark products. [14] The growth in ADV of CME Group's Nasdaq-100 futures and options on futures is attributed to the ten-year extension of the agreement between CME Group and Nasdaq.
[1] With this extended agreement, CME Group will continue to offer derivatives on Nasdaq indexes, providing a valuable investing tool for businesses, especially those focused on technology.[2] The growth in the average daily volume (ADV) of CME's Nasdaq-100 futures and options on futures is evidence of the increasing demand for these products as financial derivatives.
