Major move in crypto market infrastructure: Nasdaq and CME Group just joined forces to roll out the Nasdaq-CME Crypto Index. The two heavyweight exchanges are merging their separate crypto benchmark indexes into one unified system. Why does this matter? It's all about standardized reference pricing for digital assets. Instead of fragmented benchmarks across different platforms, you're looking at a consolidated framework that brings consistency to how crypto assets are priced and valued. This kind of standardization is exactly what institutional players have been waiting for—it creates a more reliable foundation for derivatives, ETFs, and other crypto financial products. The move signals that legacy finance infrastructure is getting serious about digital asset markets. When giants like Nasdaq and CME coordinate on benchmarking, it's basically saying: crypto pricing is here to stay, and it needs proper plumbing.