Small-cap Russell 2000 futures brokerage volume climbed on expectations that lower interest rates will boost credit-sensitive shares. The relative strength ratio against the S&P 500 has shown two consecutive weeks of improvement. At the same time, demand from Japanese asset managers is growing. A 2024 survey conducted by Nomura and Laser Digital found that more than half of institutional investors expect to allocate to digital assets within three years, typically in the 2–5% range of portfolios. Many cited ETFs, staking, and lending products as key entry points. To support the transition to a greener energy market for transportation fuels, CME Group’s NYMEX is now offering four futures contracts for Used Cooking Oil (UCO) and Used Cooking Oil Methyl Ester (UCOME). Futures brokerage in FX markets is noting increased yen futures buying as BoJ policy speculation builds. USD/JPY futures have priced in a potential shift toward tighter yen liquidity as early as August.
