TradeStation Securities, Inc. (“TradeStation”), the brokerage firm built for active equity and derivatives traders, announced the availability of CME Group Spot-Quoted futures (SQFs)*, a new suite of smaller-sized futures contracts designed to provide advanced derivative traders with access to major U.S. equity indices and cryptocurrency markets.† TradeStation is offering these contracts to retail traders, extending its mission to deliver the ultimate trading experience for those who are born to trade.

Available now on the TradeStation platform, SQFs are priced at or near the underlying cash market value, giving traders a pricing convention they’re already familiar with across stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. The structure separates the spot index quote from the futures basis – so the price customers see and trade is designed to align with the spot index — maintaining the regulatory and clearing benefits of a CME Group-cleared futures contract.

The initial offering includes eight SQF contracts across equity indices and digital assets spanning:

  • Equity indices: S&P 500 (QSPX), Nasdaq-100 (QNDX), Russell 2000 (QRTY) and Dow Jones (QDOW)

  • Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin (QBTC), Ether (QETH), XRP (QXRP) and Solana (QSOL)

With notional amounts ranging from $500 to $6,000 and pricing of $0.25 to $0.50 per contract, SQFs provide a competitive entry point for traders looking to access smaller-sized futures contracts. The contracts are at least five times smaller than existing Micro futures, potentially allowing traders to size positions more precisely while lowering the capital required to access futures markets.

SQFs are designed for active, self-directed traders seeking a simpler path into futures trading. By combining familiar spot pricing and smaller contract sizes, the products offer a more flexible way to gain futures exposure.

“Many active traders already follow markets like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100, but traditional on-screen pricing and contract sizes can create a barrier to entry,” said John Bartleman, President and Chief Executive Officer of TradeStation Group. “SQFs provide pricing that’s familiar while giving traders access to the benefits of CME-cleared futures contracts, making it easier to explore futures markets with greater flexibility.”

In June, CME Group reported record SQF volume with more than 192,000 contracts traded across the product suite.

*CME Group is not affiliated with TradeStation. TradeStation does not endorse any third-party content, and any views or opinions expressed by CME Group do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of TradeStation. Any goods or services offered by CME Group are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by TradeStation, and TradeStation makes no representation regarding any such goods or services.

†Futures trading is not suitable for all investors. To obtain a copy of the futures risk disclosure statement visit www.TradeStation.com/DisclosureFutures.

About TradeStation Securities, Inc.

Founded in 1995, TradeStation Securities, Inc. (Member NYSE, FINRA, SIPC, NSCC, DTC, OCC, NFA & CME) offers self-clearing equities, options, futures, and futures options brokerage services as a licensed securities broker-dealer with the Securities and Exchange Commission and futures commission merchant with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and is a member of major equities and futures exchanges in the United States.

About TradeStation Group, Inc.

Founded in 1982, TradeStation Group companies provide institutional-grade fintech tools and account-related services – and are where traders can find their home. TradeStation Group, Inc. is the parent company of several subsidiaries, including TradeStation Securities, Inc., TradeStation Europe B.V. and TradeStation Technologies, Inc. TradeStation Group companies seek to deliver the ultimate trading experience to retail and institutional clients that need a customizable trading ecosystem to perform their strategies. TradeStation Technologies provides award-winning‡ trading and analysis platforms through its affiliates TradeStation Securities, Inc. and TradeStation Europe B.V., which provide online brokerage services for equities, options, futures, and futures options. These advanced trading tools are accessible on desktop, web, and mobile devices, as well as via API technologies that provide seamless access to their brokerage services through third-party platforms. Created by traders, for traders, TradeStation Group companies’ institutional-level offerings cater to those who are born to trade. Learn more about TradeStation Group companies.

‡Visit TradeStation.com to learn more.

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