CFTC Statement on Self-Certification of Bitcoin Products by CME, CFE and Cantor Exchange

 

On December 1, 2017, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC“) issued a Statement on the Self-Certification of Bitcoin Products by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME“), the CBOE Futures Exchange (“CFE“) and the Cantor Exchange (“Cantor“).

CFTC Chairman J. Christopher Giancarlo stated that “we have had extensive discussions with the exchanges regarding the proposed contracts, and CME, CFE and Cantor have agreed to significant enhancements to protect customers and maintain orderly markets. The Statement also emphasized that “the Commission will continue to assess whether further changes are required to the contract design and settlement processes . . . These activities include monitoring and analyzing the size and development of the market, positions and changes in positions over time, open interest, initial margin requirements, and variation margin payments, as well as stress testing positions.” Release.