FAQ: TAS on Cryptocurrency futures

Trading at Settlement (TAS) functionality allows market participants to enter a trade at a spread to the yet-to-be-determined daily settlement price of the underlying futures contract calculated at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time (ET), for subsequent clearing into the existing futures contract. TAS enables clients to transact at or near the futures settlement price, making it particularly useful when replicating an index. TAS is subject to the requirements of Rule 524.A.

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TAS transactions are at a spread, or basis, to the yet-to-be-determined daily settlement price of the underlying futures contract.

Basis Trade at Index Close (BTIC) transactions are at a spread, or basis, to the corresponding underlying reference rate.

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View TAS on Cryptocurrency futures trading hours in ET below: 

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TAS prices are quoted in U.S. dollars per bitcoin.

The TAS trading mechanism allows market participants to enter a trade at a spread to the yet-to-be-determined daily settlement price calculated at 4:00 p.m. ET.

TAS trades off a "base price" of zero (equal to the daily settlement price) to create a differential versus the daily settlement price in the underlying futures contract month. The TAS clearing price equals the daily settlement price of the underlying futures contract month plus or minus the TAS transaction price.

For example, assume a market participant wants to execute TAS on Bitcoin (BTC) futures, at a spread of +2. The participant would transact under its TAS symbol, TBT, at a price of +2. Were BTC later to settle at $70,000, the TBT trade would be replaced with a BTC contract at a price of $70,002.

A trade of -2 would result in an execution price of $69,998.

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TAS prices are quoted in U.S. dollars per ether.

The TAS trading mechanism allows market participants to enter a trade at a spread to the yet-to-be-determined daily settlement price calculated at 4:00 p.m. ET.

TAS trades off a "base price" of zero (equal to the daily settlement price) to create a differential versus the daily settlement price in the underlying futures contract month. The TAS clearing price equals the daily settlement price of the underlying futures contract month plus or minus the TAS transaction price.

For example, assume a market participant wants to execute TAS on Micro Ether (MET) futures, at a spread of -5. The participant would transact under its TAS symbol, TEM, at a price of -5. Were MET later to settle at $2,500, the TET trade would be replaced with a MET contract at a price of $2,495.

A trade of +5 would result in an execution price of $2,505.

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TAS markets match 100% FIFO.

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Yes, with the following minimum thresholds:

• Bitcoin futures: 5 contracts
• Micro Bitcoin futures: 10 contracts
• Ether futures: 5 contracts
• Micro Ether futures: 100 contracts

View block liquidity providers

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Yes. View a list of block liquidity providers who have given CME Group consent to disclose their contact information.

View Rule 526 in the MRAN to learn more about block trades.

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TAS on Bitcoin, Ether and Micro Ether futures are available across the nearest three listed expirations in the underlying futures. TAS on Micro Bitcoin futures is only available on the respective front month contract.

For an expiring futures contract, TAS trading shall terminate at 4:00 p.m. ET on the business day immediately preceding the Last Trade Date. For clarity, TAS transactions in expiring futures contracts may not be initiated on the Last Trade Date in such expiring futures.

TAS eligibility for the respective next month is added at 6:00 p.m. ET on the business day immediately preceding the Last Trade Date.

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TAS on Bitcoin, Ether and Micro Ether futures are eligible for calendar spreads between the first three listed expirations.

TAS on Micro Bitcoin futures is only available on the respective front month futures contract. Spread functionality is not supported.

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TAS trades executed by 4:00 p.m. ET will be included in that day’s clearing cycle. TAS transactions consummated after 4:00 p.m. ET will be included in the next day’s clearing cycle, and margin will first be assessed in the intraday cycle on the following day.

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Fees for TAS on Cryptocurrency futures transactions may be found on the CME Group Fee Schedule

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TAS transactions have distinct product codes which differ from the corresponding outright Bitcoin, Micro Bitcoin, Ether and Micro Ether futures. This results in a separate line on the trader’s blotter after the execution that will enable the traders to track their TAS transactions through the day. Once the clearing cycle is complete, the TAS transactions will be consolidated with the corresponding underlying futures contract.

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No, TAS volume is not added to the outright futures volume on a real-time basis. While the final traded futures price of TAS on Cryptocurrency futures transactions will be disseminated to the clearing firms after the cash close, the TAS position will be consolidated with the corresponding underlying futures after the clearing cycle is completed for the day.

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Approximately 15 minutes after the daily settlement price calculated at 4:00 p.m. ET, cleared trade data in the corresponding futures will be sent to your clearing firm with a trade price reflecting the settlement price plus (or minus) the differential price at which the TAS was traded. This price will be used when CME Group runs its end-of-day clearing cycle. At that point, the trade will be marked to market versus the daily settlement price in the corresponding futures contract.

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You can receive the resultant futures price reflecting the TAS transaction either through your clearing firm or via our Straight Through Processing (STP) solution if you are subscribed. Learn more about STP.

Contact GAM_CS@cmegroup.com to begin the STP onboarding process.

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