- Nasdaq and CME Group relaunch a regulated crypto index to meet institutional demand.
- The index supports diversified crypto exposure as regulation clarity improves in the US.
- Index-based strategies now replace single-asset crypto exposure for professionals.
Nasdaq and CME Group have reintroduced the Nasdaq CME Crypto Index, signaling stronger institutional demand for regulated and transparent crypto investment benchmarks. The index returns as the Nasdaq CME Crypto Index after a deepened partnership between the two firms, responding to growing interest from professional investors seeking diversified digital asset exposure.
The move comes amid the rapid upsurge in institutional participation across the digital asset ecosystem, which is being driven by clearer U.S. regulatory frameworks and refreshed investor confidence. Nasdaq and CME Group, as the providers of market infrastructure, are looking to create a benchmark that is suitable for modern investors and, at the same time, bring the crypto markets closer to the established financial standards.
The second coming is also an indication of a larger trend change from single-asset crypto exposure to structured index-based strategies that are common in traditional asset classes. Is it possible that a regulatory-compliant crypto index will be the very foundation that institutions can rely on to gradually scale up responsible participation at this stage of market development?
A Regulated Benchmark for Professional Investors
The Nasdaq CME Crypto Index offers a structured and regulated benchmark for professional investors who prioritize governance and transparency. Earlier crypto products often focused on single assets and speculative trading, which limited their appeal to institutions managing long-term capital.
In contrast, the index aims to reduce risk profiles while improving credibility for cryptocurrency exposure within diversified portfolios. CME Group Executive Director Giovanni Vicioso described the relaunch as more than a rebranding effort.
“This is not just a name change,” Vicioso said. “It is the combination of two gold standards to deliver the regulated diversification the market now demands.” Through this approach, the index seeks to encourage measured participation from pension funds, hedge funds, and asset managers. Even limited allocations can support broader market awareness and stability as institutions integrate digital assets into established strategies.
Regulatory Clarity Drives Market Evolution
Nasdaq Head of Index Product Management Sean Wasserman said the timing reflects shifting investor behavior driven by clearer regulation. “Now that we are starting to see regulatory clarity coming to the treatment of crypto assets, particularly in the U.S., the door has been opened,” Wasserman said.
He added that investors now expect crypto products to match the regulated structures they rely on across traditional markets. The index also supports the development of investment vehicles such as exchange-traded funds, structured products, and actively managed funds.
As a result, the benchmark serves both as a price reference and as infrastructure for professional crypto investment strategies. Wasserman noted that the market now favors index-based exposure rather than narrow single-asset positioning.
“We see the index-based approach as the direction investors are heading, beyond just bitcoin,” he said.
Related: Canary Capital Gets SEC Approval for First XRP ETF Listing on Nasdaq
A Longstanding Partnership Extends Into Crypto
Nasdaq and CME Group bring nearly three decades of collaboration into the digital asset space. Their partnership began with Nasdaq-100 Index futures in 1996 and expanded with E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures in 1999.
Together, they built one of the most widely used equity index derivatives ecosystems globally. Earlier this year, both firms extended their exclusive Nasdaq-100 licensing agreement for another decade.
That extension reinforced the liquidity ecosystem supporting futures, options, and ETFs used worldwide. Wasserman said the crypto index reflects how both firms apply established market expertise to emerging assets.
“This announcement reflects how Nasdaq and CME Group are looking to bring their collective experience in markets and indexing to the crypto asset class,” he said. Vicioso added that the initiative continues a legacy of collaboration and product innovation as crypto markets reach an inflection point.
