Key Highlights
- Nasdaq and CME Group have reintroduced the Nasdaq CME Crypto™ Index to support regulated, institutional crypto investing.
- The index offers diversified exposure to multiple digital assets with strong governance and oversight.
- It could enable new products like ETFs and help crypto mature into a mainstream investment class.
Nasdaq and CME Group, two of the world’s most influential financial market operators, have announced the reintroduction of the Nasdaq CME Crypto™ Index (NCITM), a move that signals growing institutional interest in digital assets and the push for more regulated, transparent investment tools in the crypto space.
Bridging traditional markets and crypto
CME Group and Nasdaq have been working together to develop and promote Nasdaq’s Index Futures since 1996, when they first launched their Index Futures. They have formed a partnership that has led to their collaboration on developing one of the largest and most liquid derivative markets in the world, with an incredibly diverse assortment of all types of derivative products: futures, options, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Currently, both firms are applying what they learned in this area to develop products for the rapidly growing digital asset market, which continues to struggle with issues concerning transparency, liquidity, and governance.
“The Nasdaq CME Crypto™ Index is not just tracking crypto — it’s shaping how global investors build diversified portfolios,” said Giovanni Vicioso, Executive Director of Equity and Alternative Products at CME Group.
What the index does
The NCITM replaces the earlier Nasdaq Crypto Index (NCI) and introduces a multi-asset approach, allowing investors to gain exposure to several digital assets instead of focusing solely on Bitcoin or Ethereum.
The index is calculated by CF Benchmarks and governed by a joint oversight committee, drawing on regulated exchanges and vetted custodians to maintain credibility and alignment with evolving market standards.
According to Sean Wasserman, Head of Index Product Management at Nasdaq, the timing reflects a broader shift in investor behavior. “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 for industry participants to bring to the crypto asset class the types of regulated investment solutions that investors rely on every day.”
Why it matters
For professional investors, governance and transparency are critical. Unlike early crypto products that were largely speculative and single-asset focused, the NCITM provides a structured, regulated benchmark.
By reducing the risk profile and enhancing the credibility of cryptocurrency investment opportunities, institutions like pension funds, hedge funds, and other asset managers are encouraged to include cryptocurrencies as part of their overall investment strategy. Even a small amount can help drive cryptocurrencies into further awareness and market stabilization.
The introduction of the index will also assist with creating various investment vehicles ranging from ETFs, structured products, and actively managed funds.
Therefore, the new index is not only used to measure price fluctuations, but to provide foundations for a professional-type crypto-investing strategy where there have been many barriers to entry due to an unpredictable and fragmented marketplace.
Market impact
With the launch of the NCITM, the crypto marketplace is maturing. The combination of Nasdaq’s index experience with CME’s established track record related to regulated derivatives will have the ability to impact future price formation, liquidity, and product development.
Hashdex, the asset management firm responsible for launching numerous products linked to the index across North America, Latin America, and Europe, has already amassed over $1 billion in assets, including the United States’ first-ever multi-crypto asset index ETF.
Analysts say that as more institutional money flows into crypto, volatility may gradually decrease, and digital assets could become a recognized component of diversified investment portfolios.
Looking ahead
CME Group and Nasdaq have been working together to develop and promote Nasdaq’s Index Futures since 1996, when they first launched their Index Futures. They have formed a partnership that has led to their collaboration on developing one of the largest and most liquid derivative markets in the world, with an incredibly diverse assortment of all types of derivative products: futures, options, and ETFs.
Also Read: FCA to Open UK Crypto Licensing Window in September 2026
