Eurex has expanded its crypto derivatives suite with the launch of options on FTSE Bitcoin index futures.
This milestone supports the ambition of the Frankfurt-based European derivatives exchange to offer secure access to cryptocurrencies in a regulated market environment.
In March, Eurex announced that it is the first exchange in Europe to offer Bitcoin index futures. Since launching this product, Eurex indicates that more than 50,000 contracts and US$1.3 billion notional have been traded.
The cryptocurrency market has undergone a volatile period in the past year. The exchange says this has highlighted the need for a credible, safe and regulated marketplace supporting the trading and risk management of digital assets.
Commenting on the announcement, Randolf Roth, member of the executive board of Eurex Frankfurt AG, says: "Investors need robust trading and clearing safeguards when engaging in the crypto market. Eurex is a renowned regulated exchange, with a trusted platform and appropriate safeguards offering multi-asset class trading. With our extended crypto derivatives suite, we offer a trusted path to crypto.”
Shawn Creighton, director of index derivatives solutions at FTSE Russell, an LSEG business, adds: “The right derivatives strategy starts with the right index, and our digital asset indices apply the same rigorous policy and governance framework used across our equity and fixed income products.
“FTSE Russell is excited to support this expansion of the digital assets’ ecosystem and it reinforces the importance of the vetting methodology we have created in collaboration with Digital Asset Research (DAR), that has set a standard for digital asset and exchange index inclusion.”
