Latest updates
1. What are the latest updates to our cryptocurrency indices?
On February 2, 2026, the suite of regulated cryptocurrency pricing products was expanded to include the Nasdaq CME Crypto Index (NCI). These indices are designed to provide a standardized, institutional-grade benchmark for the cryptocurrency market. They aggregate trade flow from major, regulated spot exchanges to provide a reliable reference price.
Overview
2. What are cryptocurrency indices?
Cryptocurrency indices are financial benchmarks that track the performance of a specific group, or "basket," of digital assets. Much like the S&P 500 tracks the stock market, these indices aggregate real-time data from various regulated exchanges to provide a standardized, reliable reference price for the broader crypto market.
The Nasdaq CME Crypto Indices use a regulated, robust and replicable methodology to measure the performance of the top cryptocurrencies in the rapidly evolving market.
3. What cryptocurrency indices are currently available?
Nasdaq CME Crypto Index: Calculated in real time every second, 24/7.
Nasdaq CME Crypto Settlement Price Index: Calculated once a day and published at 4:00 p.m. New York time.
4. What cryptocurrencies are currently included in the index?
The index consists of seven* cryptocurrencies, including:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ether (ETH)
- XRP (XRP)
- Solana (SOL)
- Cardano (ADA)
- Chainlink (LINK)
- Stellar (Lumens)
*As of January 20, 2026.
5. What methodology is used to calculate the indices?
The Nasdaq CME Crypto Indices are designed to measure the performance of a material portion of the overall digital asset market. Digital assets are eligible for inclusion in the index if they satisfy the criteria set forth in the Digital Asset Eligibility Criteria. Each Index periodically adjusts index constituents and weightings to reflect changes in the digital asset market. Read about the index methodology.
6. What exchanges and custodians contribute market data for these indices?
| Core exchanges | Core custodians |
|---|---|
| BitStamp | BitGo |
| Coinbase | Coinbase |
| Gemini | Fidelity |
| itBit | Gemini |
| Kraken | Komainu |
| LMAX Digital | Zodia |
Data
7. How can I access the cryptocurrency benchmarks data?
There are three ways to access real-time and historical data, including:
- CMEGroup.com
- MDP (Market Data Platform)
- Futures through channel 326
- Options through 327
- Pricing data through 213
- DataMine (historical data)
8. What licensing is required to use these cryptocurrency benchmarks?
All customers are required to sign a Market Data License Agreement (MDLA). The creation and distribution of derived works require a separate Derived Data License Agreement. Data can be received directly from CME Group or through a licensed third-party data provider.
For more information, visit Derived Data Services.
9. What kind of oversight is there for these indices??
An Oversight Committee, consisting of CME Group and Nasdaq, regularly reviews the methodology and practices standards to protect the integrity of the indices.
Cryptocurrency products
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All examples in this report are hypothetical interpretations of situations and are used for explanation purposes only. The views in this report reflect solely those of the author and not necessarily those of CME Group or its affiliated institutions. This report and the information herein should not be considered investment advice or the results of actual market experience.
