Overview
Nadex (North American Derivatives Exchange) is a US-based regulated exchange for binary options and knock-out contracts. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Chicago, Nadex is regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), making it one of the few legally compliant binary options platforms in the United States.
Unlike most short-term contracts platforms that act as counterparty, Nadex operates as a true exchange where traders buy and sell contracts from each other. This provides transparency and eliminates conflicts of interest. Acquired by IG Group in 2017. All funds are held in segregated US bank accounts.
Key Features
- CFTC-regulated: one of the only legal binary options exchanges in the US
- Exchange model: traders trade against each other, not the house
- Binary options: all-or-nothing contracts with known maximum risk
- Knock-out contracts: bounded-risk contracts with floor and ceiling levels
- Call spreads: limited-risk contracts based on price ranges
- Collateral-based: maximum risk known upfront, no margin calls
- Short-term contracts: from 5-minute to weekly expirations
- Advanced charting: TradingView-powered charts with indicators
- Demo account: $10,000 virtual funds
- Segregated funds: client money in US bank accounts
Supported Markets
Forex (major and minor pairs), stock indices (Wall Street 30, US 500, US Tech 100), commodities (gold, silver, crude oil, natural gas), crypto (BTC/USD, ETH/USD), and economic events.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Features | |------|-------|----------| | Standard Account | Free | $250 recommended deposit | | Contract Fees | $1 per contract | Entry and exit (capped at $50/order) | | Settlement | $1 per contract | If contract settles in-the-money |
No platform subscription fees.
Platforms & Interfaces
- Web: nadex.com with TradingView charts
- Mobile: iOS and Android (NadexGO)
- API: available for automated trading
Getting Started
- Apply at nadex.com (US residents only, 18+)
- Complete CFTC-required identity verification
- Practice on the demo account ($10,000)
- Fund via ACH, wire transfer, debit card, or check
- Select market, contract type, and trade
Useful Links
Risk Warning
Short-term contracts carry high risk. You may lose your entire investment. Trade responsibly.