CME sets an FX open-interest record of 4.41 million contracts

CME Group reported a new foreign-exchange derivatives milestone on 7 September 2026.

Reported records

FX futures and options open interest reached 4,410,167 contracts on 4 September, exceeding the previous 4,269,622 record from 11 June.

That is an increase of 140,545 contracts, or approximately 3.3%, calculated from the disclosed records.

The number of large FX-futures position holders reached 1,446, based on the CFTC's 25 August report. Asset managers also exceeded $200bn in FX-futures notional open interest for the first time.

What the measures mean

Open interest measures outstanding contracts. It is different from daily trading volume, exchange revenue and customer assets held in custody.

The notional value describes underlying exposure; it is not $200bn of revenue or investment capital received by CME.

Business implications

Broader participation can support liquidity and the usefulness of the market. The earnings effect depends on trading activity, product mix and fee realisation.

The next operating releases should show whether the increased outstanding positions accompany sustained transaction growth.

Source: Company announcement, 7 September 2026.