Study: Bitcoin Derivatives Exchanges Register Record Trading Volumes

Cryptocurrency research firm Diar has indicated that institutional traders recently registered record high volumes on bitcoin (BTC) derivatives exchanges in a report published on May 21.

Per the report, bitcoin derivatives trading on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) hit an all-time-high for two months in a row.

Bitcoin derivatives trading volume on CME. Source: Diar

Cryptocurrency exchange BitMEX is reportedly also seeing much of the same trading volumes because of recent volatility in the digital assets market, while Dutch bitcoin futures and options exchange Deribit has seen a more institution-based audience. According to Diar, Deribit has been hitting record volumes month-on-month.

Regarding physically-settled bitcoin futures, physically delivered cryptocurrency futures exchange CoinFLEX has witnessed interest from crypto venture capital firm Digital Currency Group and investment company Polychain, which have reportedly already launched two future contracts.

As reported earlier this month, CME Group reported record volume for its bitcoin futures on May 13 as the cryptocurrency’s surprise bull market continued. On May 13, the exchange saw an all-time record of 33,700 contracts. That figure represented an equivalent 168,000 BTC ($1.35 billion) — an almost 50% rise versus the previous high of 22,500 contracts and 112,700 BTC (currently $909.2 million) on April 4.