CME Group is preparing to launch a smaller WTI crude oil futures contract as retail interest in energy trading rises during a period of war-linked volatility around Iran.
The exchange operator said the new 10-barrel WTI contract will be 1/100 the size of its benchmark crude futures contract and 1/10 the size of its existing Micro WTI contract. CME says the product is designed to offer more precise hedging and broader market access, pending regulatory review.
The contract is scheduled to begin trading on August 30, 2026, for trade date August 31, and will support 24-hour, seven-day trading on CME Globex, according to the exchange.
The Financial Times reported that the move comes as more individual traders seek exposure to oil prices following sharp market swings linked to the Iran conflict. Smaller contracts reduce the notional size of each trade, making it easier for smaller accounts to take positions, although margin requirements will depend on CME and individual brokers.
The product will not directly determine petrol or heating costs for consumers. Crude prices remain driven by global supply, demand, inventories, shipping risks and geopolitical developments. But the new contract could give retail traders a more accessible way to trade one of the world’s most closely watched commodity markets.
The launch expands CME’s range of smaller futures products at a time when exchanges and trading platforms are competing for retail investors who want direct exposure to commodities beyond energy stocks and exchange-traded funds.
