The Chicago Mercantile Exchange, the US derivatives exchange that is trying to merge with local rival Chicago Board of Trade, is looking to capitalise on rising demand for exposure to Asian financial instruments by developing a new suite of products targeted at the region.

Derek Samman, CME managing director of foreign exchange products, told The Wall Street Journal, part of the Dow Jones group that owns Financial News, that the exchange plans to update its product catalogue to cater for the influx of hedge funds and private equity firms from the US and Europe into Asia.