Moscow Exchange launches futures trading on Bitcoin and Ethereum indices

Moscow Exchange announced the launch of cash-settled futures contracts on the Bitcoin and Ethereum indices, available for maturities from December 2025 to February 2026. These new financial instruments are intended exclusively for qualified investors, underscoring the exchange's commitment to developing the cryptocurrency market within a regulated jurisdiction.

Details on the new futures

The indices on which the futures will trade are designated MOEXBC for Bitcoin and MOEXET for Ethereum. They will be calculated in real time based on the share prices of three US-based spot Bitcoin ETFs: iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC), and ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB), as well as spot Ethereum funds.

New Contract Tickers

For the convenience of traders, Moscow Exchange has introduced the following new contract tickers:

- Bitcoin Index:
- BCZ5 (December)
- BCF6 (January)
- BCG6 (February)

- Ethereum Index:
- ETZ5 (December)
- ETF6 (January)
- ETG6 (February)

Benefits for Investors

According to the announcement, Moscow Exchange clients will not incur costs associated with storing cryptocurrency and trading in a foreign jurisdiction. This makes the new futures attractive to Russian investors who want to participate in the cryptocurrency market without leaving their home country.

Maria Patrikeeva, Managing Director of the Derivatives Market at Moscow Exchange, noted: "The launch of direct index futures on Bitcoin and Ethereum is a logical extension of the range of crypto derivatives available to traders in rubles and in a regulated Russian jurisdiction, without the need to purchase digital assets on foreign exchanges."

Market Competition

Earlier, the Saint Petersburg Exchange also announced the launch of the IETHUSD Ethereum Index calculation and the launch of ETHUSD Ethereum futures trading for qualified Russian investors on the SPB Futures derivatives market. This demonstrates growing interest in cryptocurrencies and the desire of Russian exchanges to offer new instruments for investors.

In Conclusion

The launch of Bitcoin and Ethereum index futures on Moscow Exchange opens new opportunities for qualified investors in Russia. This is a step towards integrating cryptocurrency assets into the country's traditional financial system and confirms the growing interest in digital assets within a regulated environment.