CME Group announced that the existing 1-ounce gold futures contract will begin 24/7 round-the-clock trading on July 26, and that a brand-new 10-lot WTI crude oil futures contract will be launched on August 30 on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX). Both contracts require review and approval by regulators.
Contract specifications and launch timeline confirmed by CME Group
1-ounce gold futures (existing contract, expanded to 24/7) The contract was launched on the CME platform in January 2025 and had an average daily trading volume of nearly 90,000 contracts in 2026; the daily average total trading value of CME gold benchmark products is close to $10 billion. Traded under COMEX rules with cash settlement. Target start date for 24/7 round-the-clock trading: July 26, 2026 (subject to regulatory approval).
10-lot WTI crude oil futures (new contract) The size is one-tenth of the existing Micro WTI crude oil futures, aiming to lower the entry barrier for traders with lower liquidity. Listed on NYMEX with cash settlement. Target launch date: August 30, 2026 (subject to regulatory approval).
Three market volume data points confirmed by CME Group
According to data confirmed in CME Group’s official announcement:
WTI crude oil options: average daily trading volume of 320,000 contracts in Q1 2026, setting a new all-time high
Micro WTI crude oil futures: average daily trading volume of 272,000 contracts in May 2026 (up 317% year over year from May 2025)
Gold benchmark products: daily average total trading value close to $10 billion
Derek Samman’s confirmation statement
CME Group’s official press release confirmed that Derek Samman said in his statement: “In the face of geopolitical uncertainty, traders are increasingly inclined to diversify their investment portfolios into the commodities market. Our newly launched WTI crude oil and gold futures products are both regulated, are of moderate size, and are traded 24 hours a day, ensuring that traders can manage their risk exposures at any time when news is released.”
FAQ
What are the prerequisites for CME Group’s gold and WTI crude oil 24/7 plan?
According to CME Group’s announcement, both plans must wait for regulatory review and approval. The target date for 24/7 trading of gold futures is July 26, 2026, and the target date for the new 10-lot WTI contracts is August 30, 2026. The specific effective dates will be subject to completion of regulatory approval, and no contingency timetable has been released yet.
How do the new 10-lot WTI contracts differ from the existing Micro WTI futures?
According to CME Group’s announcement, the size of the new 10-lot WTI contracts is one-tenth that of the existing Micro WTI futures, aiming to further lower the entry barrier for traders with lower liquidity. The existing Micro WTI futures reached an average daily trading volume of 272,000 contracts in May 2026, up 317% year over year, indicating that demand for smaller contracts continues to rise.
Is the 1-ounce gold futures contract the new contract being launched?
No. The 1-ounce gold futures contract was launched on the CME platform in January 2025 and is an existing current contract. This announcement expands the trading time of the existing contract to 24/7. It is traded under COMEX rules with cash settlement. The contract specifications remain unchanged; the only change is the extension of trading hours.
