I wouldn't describe it as a hoax, that's not the sort of thing the CME would indulge in. As it says in that article you posted the 11 December date was posted in error but the following has remained on their site.
http://www.cmegroup.com/trading/equity-index/us-index/bitcoin_contract_specifications.htmlIf they have got as far as publishing the contract specifications I would say their intent is real and they think they will get the necessary regulatory approval very soon.