 The company pioneered the CME SPAN software that is used around the world as the official performance bond (margin) mechanism of 50 registered exchanges, clearing organizations, service bureaus, and regulatory agencies throughout the world.In 2019, CME Group announced that it would launch the next generation of CME Span Margin Methodology (CME Span 2) in the first half of 2020, pending regulatory approval.On October 17, 2006, The Chicago Mercantile Exchange announced a merger with its historic rival the Chicago Board of Trade for $8 billion in stock, joining the two financial institutions as CME Group Inc.