- The index tracks a diversified basket of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ether, XRP, and Solana.
- Regulatory clarity in the U.S. is seen as a catalyst for the launch.
Nasdaq and CME Group rebranded the Nasdaq Crypto Index as the Nasdaq-CME Crypto Index, tightening a decades-long partnership as institutional interest in digital assets accelerates.
According to the announcement, the revamped benchmark tracks a basket of major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ether, XRP, Solana, Chainlink, Cardano, and Avalanche, and is designed to anchor a new wave of index-based products for investors who want broad crypto exposure without picking individual tokens.
Executives say the move comes as market participants look for in-crypto what they already expect from equities and bonds: clear governance, transparent rules, and benchmarks that can support long-term strategies.
“This is not just a name change,” commented Giovanni Vicioso, Executive Director of Equity and Alternative Products at CME Group. “It is the combination of two gold standards to deliver the regulated diversification and foundational building block the market now demands.”
Nasdaq and CME Group are leaning on a relationship that dates back to the launch of Nasdaq-100 futures in 1996 and E-mini Nasdaq-100 contracts in 1999, which helped them build one of the most active equity index derivatives ecosystems in the world.
See Related: CryptoQuant Becomes First On-Chain Data Provider for CME Group
Regulatory Clarity And Governance At The Center
Earlier this year, the firms extended their exclusive Nasdaq-100 licensing agreement for another decade.
The partners say improving regulatory clarity, particularly in the United States, is a key backdrop for the launch. Governance sits at the center of the design: the index relies on vetted exchanges and custodians overseen by a joint committee and is calculated by CF Benchmarks.
Nasdaq publishes a detailed methodology covering eligibility criteria, liquidity thresholds, weighting rules, and a quarterly reconstitution schedule to give issuers and investors visibility into how the benchmark operates.
The Nasdaq-CME Crypto Index is intended to serve as a foundation for a growing range of regulated instruments, including ETFs, structured products, and actively managed funds that reference the gauge.
