If you’re interested in the exciting world of US futures trading but you’re not sure which trading platform to sign up on, this is the guide for you. Whether you’re a beginner trader who is just starting out or a seasoned trader looking to enhance your trading experience, read on to discover the best advice for choosing a trading platform.
What is futures trading?
Before diving into factors that determine a good trading platform, this section will answer what are futures and what is the role of futures traders.
Futures are financial contracts obligating the buyer to purchase an asset or the seller to sell an asset at a predetermined future date and price. Assets refer to a physical commodity or a financial instrument, such as Bitcoin, S&P500 or oil. Futures contracts detail the quality and quantity of the underlying asset and are standardized to facilitate trading on a futures exchange. To be successful at futures trading, investors speculate on the price direction of various assets and enter into contracts accordingly.
The option to trade on a wide range of assets
In the trading world, there are countless assets that are considered as lucrative investment opportunities. To name just a few, trading assets include Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, S&P500, oil, indexes, foreign currencies, precious metals and agriculture products. When choosing a trading platform, traders ought to consider their access to trading on different assets. In addition, the best trading platforms also provision different trading instruments such as futures contracts, options trading contracts and more.
24/7 customer support
In the volatile world of futures trading, having access to assistance at any time of the day, irrespective of location, can be a game-changer. When choosing a platform for US futures trading, the platform’s customer support hours as well as their customer support quality is something to take note of. 24/7 customer support means that traders can access the help they need when they need it which contributes to a more seamless trading experience.
Considerations for beginner traders
Entering the world of US futures can sometimes be overwhelming for beginner traders. In addition, experienced traders may even appreciate resources and other measures to help them brush up their skills and improve their trading outcomes. That’s why the best trading platforms implement considerations for beginner traders.
For example, several trading platforms offer demo accounts, enabling traders to practice their strategies with virtual money before risking real capital. A demo account is a valuable tool for beginners to gain hands-on experience in futures trading or for experienced traders to try out new and different strategies, all without any financial risk.
In addition, trading platforms may have educational resources to aid in understanding the complexities of futures trading. These resources, which can include tutorials and guides, provide insights into different trading strategies, risk management techniques and other crucial aspects of futures trading.
Trading tools and analytics
Advanced trading tools and analytics can give you an edge in the competitive world of US futures trading. Advanced trading tools can help traders track market trends, analyze price movements and make informed trading decisions. From real-time charts to economic calendars, many different tools are making their way onto the market and being adopted by different trading platforms.
Concluding thoughts
At the end of the day, even the best traders in the world will be limited if they are not using a good trading platform. Use these tips to help choose a trading platform and give yourself the best chance at success when engaging in US futures trading.
