Eurex Becomes the First European Exchange to Launch Bitcoin Index Futures

Eurex is the first exchange in Europe to offer Bitcoin index futures. Start of trading is scheduled for 17 April 2023. The leading European derivatives exchange has developed the new contract in partnership with FTSE Russell, a leading global index provider, and Digital Asset Research (DAR), its provider of institutional-grade digital asset data.

The launch of FTSE Bitcoin Index Futures is a major milestone in Eurex's ambition to offer safe and trusted access to cryptocurrencies in a regulated market environment. The new contract complements Eurex's already listed BTCetc ETN Futures with physical delivery. 

The underlying FTSE Bitcoin Index reflects the settlement price of Bitcoin as determined by the FTSE DAR Reference Price. The new futures contracts are traded in EUR and USD. Liquidity will be supported by orderbook and over-the-counter liquidity providers. 

Michael Peters, CEO of Eurex: "Investors need robust trading and clearing safeguards when engaging in the crypto market. We are looking forward to cooperating with FTSE Russell and Digital Asset Research to jointly deliver superior transparency, consistency, and safeguards to this emerging asset class."

Arne Staal, CEO of FTSE Russell, a London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) business: "We are excited for this next step in the expansion of the digital asset ecosystem to meet institutional investor client risk management needs. Our digital asset indices apply the same rigorous index policy and governance framework used with our equity and fixed income products. Perhaps most importantly in this market, in collaboration with DAR, we have created a vetting methodology to set a standard for digital asset and exchange index inclusion, that offers consistent prices reflective of the real investable market to the investor community."