TradeStation Adds CME Group Spot-Quoted Futures to Trading Platform

TradeStation Securities has broadened its futures lineup with the introduction of CME Group Spot-Quoted futures (SQFs), a suite of smaller contracts designed to give retail traders access to major U.S. equity indices and digital assets.

The eight contracts are now live on the TradeStation platform. Four track equity benchmarks: S&P 500 (QSPX), Nasdaq-100 (QNDX), Russell 2000 (QRTY) and Dow Jones (QDOW). The other four are cryptocurrency-linked: Bitcoin (QBTC), Ether (QETH), XRP (QXRP) and Solana (QSOL).

SQFs are priced at or near the underlying cash market value, making them look familiar to traders who are used to stocks, ETFs or crypto prices. The structure separates the spot index quote from the futures basis, so displayed prices align more closely with the spot market while still benefiting from CME Group clearing and regulatory protections.

Notional values range from $500 to $6,000, with per-contract pricing between $0.25 and $0.50. TradeStation says the contracts are at least five times smaller than existing Micro futures, allowing traders to size positions more precisely with less capital required to enter futures markets.

John Bartleman, President and CEO of TradeStation Group, said the launch aims to address a common barrier for active traders who follow benchmark indices but find traditional futures pricing and sizing intimidating. He said the combination of familiar pricing and CME-cleared products makes futures easier to explore.

The move comes as CME Group reported record June volume for SQFs, with more than 192,000 contracts traded across the suite, indicating growing demand for the format ahead of TradeStation's rollout.