Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group (CME Group) and CF Benchmarks have announced the launch of new reference rates and real-time indices for four additional cryptocurrencies—Arbitrum, Ondo, NEAR, and Sui—effective June 2, 2025. This expansion broadens the CME CF Benchmark Index coverage to over 96% of the investable cryptocurrency market cap, reinforcing its role in institutional-grade pricing infrastructure.
Key Features of the New Indices
- Reference Rates: Updated daily at 16:00 London time (USD-denominated), with additional New York time 16:00 updates for Ondo and Sui.
- Real-Time Indices: Refreshed every second year-round.
- Data Sources: Aggregated from at least two partner exchanges, including Bitstamp and Coinbase, ensuring robustness and transparency.
Institutional Adoption and Compliance
Giovanni Vicioso, CME’s Global Head of Cryptocurrency Products, emphasized that these benchmarks provide "transparent pricing tools" for institutional portfolios, enabling:
- Accurate portfolio valuation
- Development of structured products
Sui Chung, CEO of CF Benchmarks, highlighted that the indices adhere to the same methodology as the Bitcoin Reference Rate (BRR), meeting stringent compliance standards for accuracy and transparency demanded by traditional finance.
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Broader Market Impact
The CME CF Benchmark Index now tracks 28 cryptocurrencies, supporting pricing for $400+ billion in regulated crypto products. The inclusion of Layer 1 networks (e.g., Arbitrum, Sui) and DeFi-linked tokens (e.g., Ondo) accelerates the integration of emerging assets into mainstream financial infrastructure.
FAQ Section
Q1: How often are the CME CF reference rates updated?
A: Reference rates are published daily (16:00 London time), with real-time indices updated per second.
Q2: Which exchanges contribute data to these benchmarks?
A: Data is sourced from at least two top-tier exchanges, including Coinbase and Bitstamp, to ensure reliability.
Q3: Why are these benchmarks critical for institutions?
A: They provide auditable, compliant pricing for derivatives, ETFs, and portfolio management, reducing operational risks.
Q4: What distinguishes the new indices from existing ones?
A: They extend coverage to Layer 1 and DeFi assets, reflecting broader institutional adoption of diverse crypto sectors.
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