Frequently Asked Questions

We have been servicing futures traders for over 25 years. We offer some of the lowest commission rates available - $0.49 or less per contract on standard futures and $0.20 or less on micro index futures - combined with ultra-low day trading margins, some of the lowest available for active intraday traders. We also offer a free trading platform, no inactivity fees, 24/6 trade support, and over 20 professional platforms to choose from.

Discount Trading specializes in futures and options trading. We are a member of the National Futures Association (NFA ID: 0283032) and registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). We have been serving futures traders for over 25 years and accept accounts from traders in the USA and most foreign countries.

Yes. We accept accounts from most countries worldwide, including Canada, Australia, Europe, Asia, and more. Contact us if you have questions about opening an account from your country.

We accept a wide range of account types including Individual, Joint, IRA, Roth IRA, Corporate, LLC, Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, Trust, and POA (Power of Attorney) accounts. See our Open Account page for full details.

Simply fill out our online application at open-account.html. We typically open new accounts within one business day. You will need valid government-issued identification and your initial funding.

The minimum account size is $500 USD. However, please keep in mind that your account balance must meet the required day trading margin for the contracts you wish to trade. See our margin page for current margin requirements.

Yes. Simply fill out the transfer form included in the online account application. All open positions and cash balances will transfer to Discount Trading. The transfer process typically takes a few business days. Contact us if you have any questions about the transfer process.

We offer ultra-low day trading margins, some of the lowest available for active intraday traders. Margins are available for both the day session and overnight session. Please visit our margin page for current rates. Please note that lower margins mean higher leverage, which increases both potential gains and potential losses.

Self-directed traders pay $0.49 or less per contract on standard futures, and $0.20 or less per contract on micro index futures (plus exchange, clearing, and regulatory fees). Our commission rates are fully disclosed. See our commission rates page for complete details. Accounts requiring broker assistance are charged at a higher rate.

No. We do not charge inactivity fees on our free platform. We do not require a minimum number of executed trades each month. If you decide not to trade for a period of time, your account will not be penalized. Some other brokers charge up to $100 per month in inactivity fees - we never will.

No. All accounts enjoy no inactivity fees and no minimum trade requirements on our free platform.

You can add funds via Plaid ACH (electronic bank transfer), wire transfer, or check. If your deposit request is received by 11:30 AM Central Time, it will typically be processed the same business day. Login to your account 24/7 to initiate a deposit.

Withdrawals are available via wire transfer or check. Requests received by 11:30 AM Central Time are typically processed the same business day. Login to your account or contact our team to initiate a withdrawal.

We support over 20 different trading platforms to meet the needs of every type of trader. Our most popular platform is Rithmic R|Trader Pro, which is offered free for active clients. Platforms we support include:

Rithmic Native: R|Trader Pro, Rithmic Mobile, Rithmic Web
CQG Native: CQG Desktop, CQG One, CQG QTrader, CQG Integrated Client, CQG Spreader, CQG Mobile
Third-Party: Quantower, Sierra Chart, MultiCharts, Motive Wave, Bookmap, Jigsaw Trading, ATAS, QST, eSignal, Overcharts, Investor/RT, Trade Navigator, Volfix, Market Delta, Barchart, MedVed, Photon, AgenaTrader, TickBlaze, and more.

See our Trading Platforms page for details on each platform.

Yes. We offer a completely free trading platform with free live quotes - no data fees and no monthly platform fees. This includes a full desktop platform, mobile app, and web version. Try a free 14-day demo before opening a live account.

We offer three professional-grade order routing solutions: Rithmic (our primary recommendation for ultra-low margins and R|Trader Pro), CQG (institutional-grade routing with 45+ global exchanges), and Teton (Sierra Chart's native no-fee routing solution). Contact us and we will help you choose the right routing for your setup.

Yes. We offer a free 14-day Rithmic demo with live streaming quotes - no credit card or personal information required. Request your free demo here. The demo can be extended up to 28 days by contacting Discount Trading.

Our trade support desk is available 24 hours a day, 6 days a week during all market hours. If you are away from your computer and need to place a trade, our team is standing by. Also, an overnight trade desk is available. Additional fees may apply for utilizing the trade desk to place trades.

You can view your account information online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Daily statements are available electronically every morning. Simply log in at trading.certigo.com to access your account.

Yes. Discount Trading can guide you through the process of applying for a CME exchange membership, which can significantly reduce your exchange fees. The application requires a non-refundable $2,000 fee. See our Exchange Membership page for more details.