CME Group expands crypto pricing with real-time HBAR index

CME Group is expanding its cryptocurrency pricing coverage with the introduction of real-time and reference pricing indices for Hedera’s native token, HBAR, adding another digital asset to its standardized market data suite.

According to information shared by the Hedera Foundation, the new pricing products are scheduled to go live on December 29 via the CME CF Cryptocurrency Pricing Market Data feed, which is distributed through CME Globex on Google Cloud.

The launch comprises not only daily benchmark reference rates but also a constantly updated real-time index, placing HBAR in the broader expansion of cryptocurrency pricing data by CME. The notice from the Hedera Foundation also mentions several concurrent CME technology and connectivity updates, and that the launch of the HBAR index is part of a broader set of platform changes being communicated through CME development and notice channels.

Real-time and reference pricing for HBAR

According to the December 29 plan, CME Group and CF Benchmarks will release various Hedera-dollar reference rates and a live index to deliver regularized output pricing. The daily benchmarks shall be released soon after 4:00 p.m. local time in three regions, including weekends and bank holidays.

The publication in London will be CME CF Hedera-Dollar Reference Rate (HBARUSD_RR), which will be published slightly later than 4:00 p.m. in London. CME will also post a New York version, HBARUSD_NY, at approximately 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and an Asia-Pacific version, HBARUSD_AP, at approximately 4:00 p.m. Hong Kong/Singapore time.

CME will also release the CME CF Hedera-Dollar Real-Time Index (HBARUSD RTI) alongside the daily reference rates, and this index will update at a rate of around one second. CME stated that the indices will be made available via the condensed CME CF Cryptocurrency Pricing Market Data feed on channel 213 and added that the new indices would have no role in settling any contracts. It is also noted in the notice that access to testing will be done through the New Release environment of CME and that there will be no certification.

CME details Globex cloud migration

The Hedera Foundation notice discusses the current technology approach of CME Globex, as well as the content associated with the intended migration of CME Globex systems to Google Cloud, and updates conveyed via CME Globex Notices. It also cites the release of a new private Google Cloud Chicago region and co-location facility by CME Group and Google Cloud, aiming to support the CME Group listed derivative markets.

CME also planned a lengthy list of infrastructure and market data modifications in asset classes, outlined in the same roadmap-style notice. These will include updates such as certification host IP changes, the introduction of new market data multicast groups in Q1 2026, a proposed new market data channel (335) in H1 2026 to support equity index and alternative product expansion, and other connectivity and messaging updates from the first quarter of 2026 through April 2026.

The pricing expansion comes as HBAR recorded a decline in its market. As of press time, HBAR was trading at $0.1135, recording a decline of 5.32% over the past 24 hours.

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