CME GroupInc. is planning to launch an index that tracks the real-time priceof bitcoins.

In a partnership with Crypto Facilities Ltd., a tradingplatform for digital assets, the exchange is developing a bitcoin referencerate that lists a bitcoin's final settlement price in U.S. dollars at 4:00 p.m.London time on each trading day.

The CME CF Bitcoin Real Time Index will give users access tobitcoin prices. Crypto Facilities will calculate the index based on globaldemand to buy and sell bitcoin aggregated into a consolidated order book. Theindex will be updated once every second.

A committee primarily composed of CME, Crypto Facilities andImperial College London will oversee the rate and create guidelines for theparticipating bitcoin exchanges whose spot prices constitute the rate.