CME has recently been frequently adjusting silver futures margin requirements, attracting market attention. During just the two weeks from December 12 to December 29, the exchange consecutively raised the initial margin for the March 2026 contract — from the original $20,000 to $22,000, and then again to approximately $25,000. The new regulation will take effect on December 29.

This intensive margin adjustment operation reminds many traders of those moments in history — CME has repeatedly raised margin thresholds to suppress silver long positions and limit market participation. When margin requirements increase significantly, the cost of holding positions rises accordingly, forcing some underfunded longs to close their positions, which often triggers downward price pressure.

From a technical perspective, the margin system is essentially a risk management tool for exchanges, but behind these frequent adjustments also reflects a subtle change in market expectations for silver price volatility. Such policy movements are always factors that investors involved in commodity futures trading need to monitor closely.