CME Group ( NASDAQ: CME ) is planning to roll out ethereum ( ETH-USD )-to-bitcoin ( BTC-USD ) ratio futures on July 31, the derivatives exchange said Thursday, marking its latest cryptocurrency-focused initiative. The futures, if approved by regulators, will be cash-settled to the value of CME Group Ether futures final settlement price, divided by the corresponding CME Group Bitcoin futures final settlement price. "Historically, ether and bitcoin have been highly correlated; however, as the two assets have grown over time, market dynamics may affect the performance of one more than the other, creating relative value trading opportunities," said Giovanni Vicioso, CME Group Global head of Cryptocurrency Products."Investors will be able to capture ether and bitcoin exposure in a single trade, without needing to take a directional view.” In April, CME ( CME ) said it will add daily expirations for standard- and micro-sized BTC and ETH futures options contracts, a move that boosts liquidity for market participants who trade and hedge crypto exposures. More on CME Group and its crypto offering: CME Group to add bitcoin futures to its suite of event contracts CME Group, CF Benchmarks to roll out three more crypto benchmarks CME Group launches bitcoin Euro and ether Euro futures CME Group: A Good Defensive Financial Pick
