CME Group's Record Open Interest in U.S. Treasury Futures Signals Market Confidence

CME Group's Historic Open Interest Surge in U.S. Treasury Futures

CME Group, recognized globally as the leader in derivatives markets, recently unofficially declared that open interest (OI) in its U.S. Treasury futures has reached an unprecedented milestone. As of February 19, the total open interest surged to 36,328,151 contracts, surpassing their previous high of 35,120,066 contracts recorded in November 2025. This significant increase is a clear indication that investors are increasingly turning to U.S. Treasury markets amid growing uncertainties concerning monetary policies and government expenditures.

Agha Mirza, the Global Head of Rates and OTC Products at CME Group, stated, "With open interest surpassing 36 million contracts, clients are continuing to turn to our U.S. Treasury markets in record numbers as uncertainty grows around monetary policy, government spending and other inflationary pressures." This response highlights a robust demand for U.S. Treasury products, affirming their relevance in volatile economic climates.

In addition to the overall record, there have been remarkable achievements across various categories of U.S. Treasury futures. Notably, the open interest for 2-Year Treasury Note futures and options stood at 5.8 million contracts, while the 5-Year Treasury Note futures reached 7.9 million contracts. The 10-Year Treasury Note futures and options saw an impressive 12.6 million contracts, and the 30-Year Treasury Bond futures and options recorded 3.6 million contracts. Furthermore, there are 2,100 large open interest holders (LOIH) noted in the data from the CFTC's Commitment of Traders report published on February 10. These figures illustrate not just a broader interest in Treasury markets, but also suggest investor confidence amid ongoing market fluctuations.

CME Group continues to solidify its position as the leading player in the interest rate market, with an extensive offering of futures and options tailored for a wide array of key financial products, including U.S. Treasuries and SOFR (Secured Overnight Financing Rate). The firm’s platform, CME Globex, facilitates the trading of these instruments alongside the BrokerTec cash securities, which further enhances market efficiency.

Today's investors are also benefitting from available portfolio margining options through CME Group’s U.S. Treasury and SOFR futures products. This enables better management of risks associated with interest rate swaps and futures, as well as cross-margining opportunities with cash U.S. Treasury notes and certain repo transactions.

As the economy grapples with unpredictable inflationary pressures and shifting fiscal policies, it is no wonder that market participants are seeking effective strategies to mitigate risk and optimize their trading positions. CME Group stands at the forefront, enabling global clients to navigate these challenges through innovative trading solutions and robust market infrastructure. Such an operational framework not only enriches investor experiences but also promotes liquidity and stability across the entire derivatives marketplace.

For additional details about the offerings by CME Group, interested parties can visit CME Group Rates Product Page. The firm serves a diverse clientele, facilitating trading in futures, options, cash, and other OTC markets. As a cornerstone of market efficiency, CME Group empowers a broad range of entities to proficiently manage risk while capitalizing on various opportunities across asset classes, showcasing its comprehensive approach to modern financial markets.

CME Group is dedicated to delivering excellence throughout its operations and is foundational to the dynamic nature of the financial landscape. The surge in open interest is just a recent reflection of their influential status and the responsiveness of the market they serve.