- CME will launch a new 100-Ounce Silver futures contract on February 9, 2026.
- Silver has surged past $88 and is approaching $90 amid strong safe-haven demand.
- Rising geopolitical tensions and record trading volumes are fueling the metals rally.
Silver is pushing into uncharted territory, and CME Group is moving quickly to meet the surge in demand. The exchange announced it will launch a new 100-Ounce Silver futures contract on February 9, 2026, just as silver prices blasted past a fresh all-time high above $88 and edged closer to the $90 mark. The timing feels deliberate, with metals markets heating up fast and volatility drawing in both new and seasoned traders.
A New Contract Aimed at Broader Access
The upcoming futures contract will be financially settled using COMEX’s benchmark silver price, making it accessible without the need for physical delivery. CME says the product is designed to appeal to both retail and institutional participants looking for flexible exposure. According to Jin Hennig, CME’s Global Head of Metals, silver has become increasingly attractive to retail investors seeking diversification, especially as geopolitical risk and the global energy transition continue to reshape capital flows.
Silver’s Rally Is Moving at Rare Speed
Silver’s recent performance has been nothing short of extraordinary. After climbing roughly 145% in 2025, the metal is already up more than 20% in 2026, and there aren’t even eight full trading days on the calendar yet. Gold is moving in tandem, setting a new all-time high above $4,624, reinforcing the broader strength across precious metals. These kinds of moves tend to attract momentum traders as well as long-term hedgers, creating a feedback loop of rising volume.
Geopolitics and Safe-Haven Demand Drive Metals Higher
Rising geopolitical tensions are playing a major role in the metals surge. Ongoing conflicts involving the US, Venezuela, and Iran have pushed investors toward hard assets as a defensive play. Silver and gold continue to benefit from that shift, breaking records as uncertainty builds across global markets. In environments like this, metals often act less like commodities and more like insurance.
Record Trading Volumes Back the Trend
CME Group has already seen a sharp response from traders. In 2025, Micro Gold futures averaged about 301,000 contracts per day, while Micro Silver averaged 48,000. The 1-Ounce Gold futures contract, launched in January 2025, has already surpassed 6 million contracts traded. Those numbers help explain why CME is expanding its silver lineup right now — the demand is clearly there.
