Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE: ICE) has officially entered the battery materials market with the launch of its first-ever futures contracts tied to critical minerals—marking a strategic expansion of its energy and environmental derivatives portfolio.

The four new cash-settled contracts cover lithium hydroxide, lithium carbonate, cobalt, and spodumene, with pricing based on Fastmarkets’ industry-standard benchmarks.

“Our customers are navigating complex geopolitical risks and evolving trade flows in critical minerals,” said Jeff Barbuto, Global Head of Oil Markets at ICE. “These new contracts extend our risk management offerings to a rapidly growing and vital sector.”

ICE’s move reflects growing demand for transparent, tradable benchmarks in the battery supply chain, especially as global industries shift toward electric vehicles and renewable energy infrastructure.

The timing is notable: ICE is currently seeing record growth across its energy markets, with Brent futures reaching an all-time high open interest of 2.9 million contracts and Gasoil options hitting a new single-day volume record of 22,650 contracts in May 2025.

“Partnering with ICE helps bring trusted pricing and stability to an emerging market,” added Przemek Koralewski, Global Head of Market Development at Fastmarkets.

These new contracts allow traders, investors, and manufacturers to hedge exposure to battery material price volatility, bringing greater sophistication and liquidity to a sector that has historically relied on OTC and spot transactions.

As the race for control over energy transition materials heats up, ICE’s futures debut sends a clear message: battery metals are the next frontier in commodities trading—and the market is open.

At PropInsider, we’re tracking every shift that matters—from platform updates to market launches like this.

As the trading landscape evolves beyond Forex and indices, battery metals could become the next battleground for prop firms and retail traders alike. Stay tuned as we continue to spotlight the trends shaping the future of funded trading.