TLDR
- The Nasdaq-CME Crypto Index includes BTC, ETH, XRP, SOL, LINK, ADA, and AVAX.
- Nasdaq says investors are shifting from Bitcoin-only to broader market indexes.
- CME and Nasdaq aim to simplify crypto access for institutional investors.
- Experts say index-based crypto ETFs will drive passive adoption in 2026.
Nasdaq and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Group have joined to launch the Nasdaq-CME Crypto Index, unifying their previous crypto benchmarks. This new index was formerly known as the Nasdaq Crypto Index (NCI) and now carries branding from both financial giants.
Nasdaq and CME Group have partnered to launch the Nasdaq CME Crypto™ Index.
The index comprises LINK, BTC, ETH, and a select group of other digital assets.https://t.co/zGAx534SqK pic.twitter.com/C1LYszzClS
— Chainlink (@chainlink) January 9, 2026
The updated benchmark includes seven digital assets: Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), XRP, Solana (SOL), Chainlink (LINK), Cardano (ADA), and Avalanche (AVAX). Nasdaq confirmed these components in an announcement reported by Cointelegraph.
Growing Demand for Index-Based Crypto Investment
The update comes as investors increasingly look for broader exposure to the cryptocurrency market. Rather than focusing solely on Bitcoin, many institutional investors now prefer indexes that reflect a range of high-market-cap digital assets.
Sean Wasserman, head of index product management at Nasdaq, stated, “We see the index-based approach as the direction investors are heading, beyond just Bitcoin. That’s similar to what we’ve seen in other asset classes.”
This shift is occurring alongside rising institutional interest in digital assets. Nasdaq noted that traditional finance is beginning to integrate blockchain and crypto infrastructure as it adapts to a digital-first economy.
Crypto Index ETFs to Support Future Adoption
Market participants suggest that crypto index investment vehicles such as ETFs are likely to play a key role in the next adoption cycle. These products simplify access for passive investors who want diversified crypto exposure without the need for technical analysis.
Will Peck, head of digital assets at asset manager WisdomTree, said index products remove complexity and help investors avoid tracking and analyzing thousands of individual tokens. This is especially important as the number of cryptocurrencies listed on platforms like CoinMarketCap continues to grow.
Data shows there were over 29.66 million tokens listed at the time of the announcement, with new assets added daily. As the digital asset market expands, index-based strategies are becoming more attractive for portfolio managers and retail investors alike.
Market Trends Show Shift Toward Broader Crypto Products
Matt Hougan, chief investment officer at Bitwise, expressed his view that the trend toward crypto index products is likely to continue in 2026. According to Hougan, demand is increasing among investors who want crypto exposure without committing to complex research.
“The market is getting more complex, and the use cases are multiplying,” Hougan said in a December interview. The Nasdaq-CME Crypto Index is designed to address that complexity by offering a representative basket of assets with wide market relevance.
The partnership between Nasdaq and CME Group positions both firms to support the growing demand for regulated, transparent crypto investment tools. This launch adds to the increasing number of financial instruments bridging the gap between traditional finance and the digital asset economy.
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