CME Adds ADA and XLM Futures Raising Questions About XRP and SOL's Edge

TLDR

Table of Contents

CME now offers ADA and XLM futures in standard and micro-sized contracts.
XRP and SOL futures led Q4 with $21.5B in volume and $1.5B open interest.
CME’s total crypto notional volume topped $3 trillion in 2025.
ADA and XLM joined the $30B daily institutional derivatives market in Q1 2026.

CME Group, the world’s largest regulated derivatives exchange, has officially added futures contracts for Cardano (ADA) and Stellar Lumens (XLM). This move opens more doors for institutional investors looking to expand exposure in the crypto market through compliant instruments.

Both ADA and XLM now have standard and micro futures contracts available, and their entry comes after a strong fourth quarter for crypto derivatives.

ADA and XLM Join CME Futures Lineup

Cardano and Stellar have entered CME’s crypto product suite alongside Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and XRP. This marks the first time both ADA and XLM are being offered on a major U.S.-regulated exchange.

ADA contracts are set at 100,000 and 10,000 coins per standard and micro units. XLM contracts are sized at 250,000 and 12,500 units. These listings follow increased demand from asset managers and hedge funds looking for broader exposure in regulated environments.

Cardano, Chainlink and Stellar futures are now available to trade.
Expand your trading strategy with the capital efficiency and flexibility of these new contracts, available in both larger and micro sizes.
Start trading today. ➡️https://t.co/CMksnUfZpo pic.twitter.com/19thOQHGZk
— CME Group (@CMEGroup) February 9, 2026

“The addition of ADA and XLM reflects growing institutional interest beyond the largest market-cap assets,” a CME spokesperson stated.

Institutional Crypto Activity Surged in Late 2025

CME’s expansion comes after a record-breaking Q4 for its crypto segment. The exchange saw an average daily open interest of $30.7 billion and notional volume of $12.7 billion during the quarter. These figures more than doubled compared to 2024.

XRP and Solana futures led the growth, with XRP futures reaching $21.5 billion in total volume. Open interest for XRP futures also peaked near $1.5 billion, signaling increasing institutional involvement.

CME also introduced spot-quoted XRP and SOL contracts in December 2025. These offerings were created to meet demand for more precise tools aimed at hedging and exposure.

Are XRP and SOL at Risk of Losing Institutional Attention?

The launch of ADA and XLM futures introduces more options for investors, possibly diverting capital and attention from existing assets like XRP and SOL.

As institutional interest broadens, funds may redistribute exposure across more assets. Analysts suggest this may cause a shift in market share between altcoins.

While XRP and Solana remain highly traded, ADA and XLM now have the tools to compete on the same regulated platform. Their presence could lead to greater price stability and deeper liquidity pools.

ADA and XLM Price Outlook

At the time of writing, ADA is priced around $0.263. It has remained range-bound between $0.25 and $0.27 after falling from $0.32. XLM trades near $0.16 with modest volume and low volatility.

Analysts expect improved institutional sentiment due to CME inclusion. If support holds, XLM may move toward $0.18–$0.19 in the near term.

Both assets now have the advantage of increased visibility and participation from institutional players, which may lead to stronger market development throughout 2026.