CFTC Grants CME Parallel Relief to Settle Single-Stock Futures at the Close

The CFTC granted the Chicago Mercantile Exchange exemptive relief from its opening-price settlement requirement for security futures. The CFTC action mirrors relief the SEC granted this month (see prior coverage).

The CME had asked in July 2025 for an exemption from Regulation 41.25(c) (Additional conditions for trading for security futures products), which requires opening-price settlement, and sought a parallel exemption from the SEC. 

The CFTC said the order supports CME's plan to list cash-settled futures on individual equity securities. The CFTC noted that CME will offer the products as a designated contract market and a notice-registered national securities exchange.