Robinhood Launches UK Futures Trading with CME Access

Robinhood has opened futures trading to UK customers, offering access to 40+ CME Group contracts across indices, energy, metals, and FX with a $0.75 per-contract fee and free real-time data, pending eligibility approvals. Trades are available in the Robinhood app and on Robinhood Legend, with one-tap ladder execution and nearly 24-hour market access across standardized contracts like S&P 500, oil, and gold futures.

Whats launching

• UK customers can trade index, energy, metals, and foreign exchange futures directly on mobile and desktop via Robinhood and Robinhood Legend, with phased rollout over the coming weeks to approved users.
• The lineup spans 40+ CME Group products, including benchmarks such as S&P 500, crude oil, and gold, with real-time market data at no additional cost; exchange and regulatory fees still apply.
• Futures contracts are standardized by size, expiration, and trading hours, and are listed nearly 24 hours a day across asset classes, enabling round-the-clock exposure and risk management.

Why it matters

• Robinhood says it aims to broaden access to markets historically seen as institutional-only in the UK, pairing futures with an intuitive mobile experience, education, and some of the industrys lowest fees, according to Robinhood UK President Jordan Sinclair.
• CME Group CCO Julie Winkler highlights futures as a transparent, cost-effective route into highly liquid markets and notes collaboration with Robinhood to educate and empower UK retail traders.
• The move adds to Robinhoods UK suite for active traders, following options trading and the rollout of Robinhood Legend, strengthening its bid to be a go-to platform for sophisticated retail investors.

Access, tools, and risk

• Customers must be approved to trade futures, with in-app resources such as Futures Fundamentals on Robinhood Learn designed to support informed decision-making throughout the trading journey.
• Robinhood Legend introduces advanced desktop tools, including a tap-to-trade ladder for fast order entry, aligning with CMEs efforts to expand retail access to institutional-grade derivatives.
• Disclosures stress that futures are complex, leveraged instruments with a high risk of rapid losses and are not suitable for all investors; traders should understand how futures work and whether they can afford potential losses beyond initial investment.