TradeStation Adds CME Group Spot-Quoted Futures to Trading Platform | LeapRate
TradeStation Securities, Inc. has expanded its futures offering with the addition of CME Group Spot-Quoted futures (SQFs), a new suite of smaller-sized contracts giving retail traders access to major U.S. equity indices and cryptocurrency markets.
The eight new contracts, now live on the TradeStation platform, cover four equity indices, including the S&P 500 (QSPX), Nasdaq-100 (QNDX), Russell 2000 (QRTY) and Dow Jones (QDOW), and four cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (QBTC), Ether (QETH), XRP (QXRP) and Solana (QSOL).
SQFs are priced at or near the underlying cash market value, a structure designed to feel familiar to traders accustomed to stock, ETF and crypto pricing. By separating the spot index quote from the futures basis, the products aim to align displayed prices with the spot market while retaining the regulatory and clearing protections of CME Group-cleared futures.
Notional amounts range from $500 to $6,000, with pricing between $0.25 and $0.50 per contract. TradeStation said the contracts are at least five times smaller than existing Micro futures, potentially allowing traders to size positions more precisely while reducing the capital needed to enter futures markets.
John Bartleman, President and CEO of TradeStation Group, said the launch addresses a common barrier for active traders who follow benchmark indices but find traditional futures pricing and sizing intimidating. He said SQFs combine familiar pricing with access to CME-cleared products, making it easier for traders to explore futures.
CME Group reported record SQF volume in June, with more than 192,000 contracts traded across the suite, pointing to growing demand for the format ahead of TradeStation’s rollout.
