CBOE Global Markets Inc. (CBOE) began trading CFTC-approved bitcoin futures on December 10^th, and CME Group Inc. (CME) will begin trading them on December 18^th. Bitcoin futures have generated significant attention as the first cryptocurrency-based derivative products to be traded on major U.S. exchanges. Bitcoin futures provide institutional and retail investors increased exposure to the asset class, allow existing market participants to hedge their exposure, enable short sales, and facilitate price discovery. Bitcoin futures mark a significant development in cryptocurrency’s movement toward mainstream acceptance and may pave the way for additional, more sophisticated financial instruments in the future.