The CFTC is considering blocking CME from launching a 24/7 crude oil contract

According to Bloomberg, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is considering whether to block the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group (CME) from launching an application for around-the-clock crude oil contracts. A senior CFTC official stated that continuous trading may not be suitable for crude oil, as it could exacerbate already extreme volatility during periods of geopolitical tension. CME announced last Thursday plans to launch crude oil and gold futures contracts that would be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, which surprised the CFTC. The new crude oil contract will be one-tenth the size of the existing micro WTI futures contract and is scheduled to go live on August 30, pending regulatory review. A week ago, the CEO of CME expressed "serious concerns" to the CFTC about clearing the way for cryptocurrency perpetual contracts. The CFTC stated it would evaluate perpetual contract applications on a case-by-case basis, noting that certain assets may not be suitable for this product.