Block Trades

A Block Trade is a privately negotiated futures, options or combination transaction that is permitted to be executed apart from the public auction market. Participation in block trades is restricted to Eligible Contract Participants as that term is defined in the Commodity Exchange Act.

Rule 526 ("Block Trades") governs block trading in CME, CBOT, NYMEX and COMEX products. Block trades are permitted in specified products and are subject to minimum transaction size requirements which vary according to the product, the type of transaction and the time of execution. Block trades may be executed at any time at a fair and reasonable price.

The Market Regulation Advisory Notice regarding Block Trades may be viewed HERE.

If you have questions concerning block trades, please contact the Market Regulation Department at +1 312 341 7970 or one of the individuals listed in the above-referenced Advisory Notices.

Benefits of Block Trades

  • Convenience of privately negotiating a trade with a selected eligible counterparty
  • Ability to execute a large transaction at a fair and reasonable single price
  • Security of a trade cleared by CME Clearing
  • Designed to meet institutional trading needs

View Block Trades


How a Block Trade Is Reported

Block trades must be submitted via CME Direct or CME ClearPort. 

Learn more about registering for access to CME Direct or CME ClearPort.

Please contact the Enterprise Application & Systems Entitlements (EASE) Team with any additional registration questions:
U.S.: +1 312 456 1560
Europe: +44 20 3379 3802
Asia: +65 6593 5536

If you have any trade submission issues, please contact the CME ClearPort Facilitation Desk/Global Command Center:
U.S.: +1 800 438 8616
Europe: +44 20 7623 4747
Asia: +65 6532 5010

Please note that the Facilitation Desk is closed from 4:30 p.m. CT/5:30 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) Friday through 5:00 p.m. CT/6:00 p.m. ET Sunday.