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Nadex is a prime platform for day trading. Risk is limited, but market access is not, with no pattern day trader rule and a wide range of contracts. Nadex is built for short-term trading – backed by innovative tech, the platform presents an abundance of opportunities for ambitious day traders.
An innovative trading platform for any device
Nadex lets you trade on any device so you can react to market movements and keep up the pace.
Nadex for desktop: Trade from your browser directly on the North American Derivatives Exchange™ (NADEX). You can log in to the Nadex platform from a desktop or laptop computer – it will run on Mac, Windows, and Linux.
NadexGO™ for mobile: NadexGO is a progressive web app – you log in the same way you would on a desktop or laptop computer, but from your mobile. This means there’s no need to download anything, and any updates happen automatically. The web app is compatible with Android and iOS, so you can access the same markets and features on the go. It can easily be added to your home screen for speedy access.
The Nadex platform is ideally suited to day trading binary options, as well as the other two Nadex products: knock-outs and call spreads. All three are limited-risk products with a built-in trading plan. With no pattern day trader rule, you can trade in and out of markets as you please.
Try trading anywhere, anytime with a Nadex demo account
Try Nadex for desktop and mobile with a free demo account. You’ll get $10,000 in virtual funds to try out day trading on our platform.
No pattern day trader rule
One of the key advantages of trading on Nadex is no pattern day trader rule. This means you can trade whenever the exchange is open, getting into and out of trades as you choose – all Nadex contracts allow you to close out early. You won’t be flagged as a pattern day trader (PDT) based on your Nadex account trading activity. This benefits you because:
You aren’t limited to fewer than four day trades within a five day period
You won’t have to hold $25,000 in your Nadex account (this is because you won’t be affected by PDT rules, and Nadex doesn’t offer margin accounts)
The regular trading hours for our platform are Sunday 6:00 p.m. - Friday 4:15 p.m. ET, giving you more flexibility as a day trader. Please note holidays can affect these hours, and trading is paused from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Monday through Thursday for end-of-day processing.
Meeting your need for speed: a platform designed for short-term trading
The Nadex platform was recently updated, offering faster load speeds and quicker order executions. It was designed by traders, for traders, so your needs come first. Logging in to the web platform is now approximately 80% faster*, and binary option/knock-out/call spread order tickets can be opened approximately 87.5% faster*.
* average load times - results may vary by client
Trading platform key features
In addition to speed, these are some of the key platform features you need to know about as a day trader:
Clear, simple order tickets. Binary options, knock-outs, and call spreads have risk management built-in. This is important for day traders seeking opportunities in volatile markets – you can up the pace while keeping your maximum risk clearly in sight. Order tickets show you maximum possible profit and loss at a glance, excluding exchange fees.
Powerful charting. Our charts are highly customizable, with various built-in technical indicators and drawing tools. There are customization options for layout and appearance.
Easy navigation. The Nadex platform was designed by traders, for traders. You can easily navigate between contracts, orders, open positions, and history. You’ll be using the platform intuitively in no time.
Easy funding and withdrawals
It’s easy to fund your Nadex account so you can get trading on our platform – there are options for US and non-US residents. The quickest way to fund is simply by using a debit card. Depending on your funding method, it’s also quick to make withdrawals. See our guide to depositing and withdrawing funds.
What you can trade on the Nadex platform
On the Nadex platform, you can speculate on four underlying markets using limited risk contracts:
Stock indices
Forex
Commodities
Events
Learn more about the markets you can access with Nadex.
Open a Nadex account
Learn to trade on Nadex with a risk-free demo account and $10,000 in virtual funds.
Ready to day trade now? Open a live account.
Learn to trade with Nadex
Get the low-down on trading with Nadex. Check out our YouTube channel.
Sign up for a webinar and delve into the platform with a Nadex expert.
Learn the basics of binary options so you’re ready to dive in.
Take a look at our platform walkthrough.
Learn more about technical analysis with Nadex.
FAQs
What are binary options?
Binary options are a financial instrument that provide a fixed payout if the underlying market moves beyond the strike price. You decide whether a market is likely to be above a certain price, at a certain time. Trading a binary option is like asking a simple question: will this market be above this price at this time? If you think yes, you buy, and if you think no, you sell. Nadex Binary Options enable traders to predict the outcome of an underlying market’s movement. Learn more about how binary options work.
How do binary options work?
There are three key elements that make up a binary option contract:
The underlying market. This is the market you choose to trade.
The strike price. The strike price is central to the binary option decision-making process – to place a trade, you must decide if you think the underlying market will be above or below the strike.
The expiration date and time. You can trade binary options lasting for up to one week, with durations as short as five minutes.
Learn more about how binary options work.
Are binary options legal?
Yes, binary options are legal to trade with a regulated provider in the US. It’s not just legal to trade binary options in the US – it’s regulated, has low capital requirements, and is accessible to retail traders. Look out for CFTC regulation to make sure the exchange you are trading on has legal oversight to protect you against unscrupulous market practices. Additionally, ensure the exchange is based in the US and that you trade your own account. Learn more about how binary options are regulated.
Is binary options trading risky?
It can be! Here are some steps to follow so that you can trade binary options more securely:
Only trade with a CFTC regulated exchange.
Don’t engage with anybody who claims to be a broker, or who says they can trade your account for you.
Trade your own account.
Try trading binary options on a regulated exchange for free! The best way to trade more confidently is through practice on our binary options demo account with $10,000 in virtual funds.
How do binary traders make money?
Binary traders can make money by correctly predicting whether a market will be above a specific price at a specific time. At expiration, you either make a predefined profit or you lose the money you paid to open the trade. Binary options are priced between $0 and $100. Each contract will show you the maximum you could gain and the maximum you could lose. If your trade is successful, you receive a $100 payout, so your profit will be $100 minus the money you paid to open the trade. If your trade isn’t successful, you don’t receive a payout. This means you lost your capital, but nothing else, because your risk is capped.
What's the difference between options and binary options?
Binary options are short-term, limited risk contracts with two possible outcomes at expiration – you either make a predefined profit or you lose the money you paid to open the trade. The payoff is fixed on either side of the strike price. Options, also called vanilla options, have a payout that is dependent on the difference of the strike price of the option and the price of the underlying asset on one side of the strike price while fixed on the other. Options can be complex, difficult to price, and have the potential for outsized profits or losses.
What's the minimum deposit for a binary options trade?
At Nadex, you can open a live account for free - that's right, no minimum deposit required. Binary trades at Nadex are priced between $0 and $100, excluding exchange fees. The cost to place a trade is always equal to the maximum risk, plus any trade fees, which is required to be in your account when the order is placed. Not ready for a live account? You can practice trading binary options for free with our binary options demo account.
Can you make a living off day trading?
To potentially make a living off day trading, it is important to have a solid trading strategy that incorporates analysis on reasonable returns to cover your living expenses. Keep in mind, you should have strong risk management and utilize multiple strategies that adjust for different market conditions.
Day trading can certainly be a career for many who have the discipline, tools, education, and keen understanding of their trading psychology and style. The best way to get started is with a free demo account to hone your skills and learn what products and markets best suit your day trading style.
How much do you need for day trading?
For most day traders in the US, the legal minimum balance required to day trade stocks is $25,000. This is known as the Pattern Day Trader (PDT) Rule. However, Nadex is exempt from the PDT Rule. Plus, you can open a live account for free - that's right, no minimum deposit required. The cost to place a trade is always equal to the maximum risk, plus any trade fees. Not ready for a live account? Try our free demo account.
Can you day trade more than three times a week?
Yes, you can day trade more than three times a week! A pattern day trader is a person who executes four or more trades over five business days and usually must follow the Pattern Day Trader (PDT) Rule. Nadex has no Pattern Day Trader Rule and offers thousands of contracts with durations from five minutes to a week. You can trade 23 hours a day, 5 days a week. Nadex is the home for day traders looking to capture short-term forex, stock indices, and commodity market volatility.
How do I become a day trader?
To become a day trader, you must put in the time to learn and practice trading the markets. Get started by reading a guide on day trading for beginners. Next, apply what you learned by practicing on a free demo account.
Nadex products are well-positioned for day trading. Binary options, knock-outs, and call spreads are available with various contract durations, giving you access to intraday opportunities with built-in risk. With our expert customer service team and learning center, Nadex can potentially help you reach your day trading goals at a pace that’s right for you.
Can day traders hold stocks overnight?
Day traders can hold stocks overnight, although this technically would not be considered a day trade. Nadex Binary Options and Knock-Outs have weekly contract durations on stock indices markets, so you are able to hold positions overnight. Trading hours on Nadex encompass what other exchanges call regular trading hours or the trading session — traditionally the time between the opening bell and the close — as well as after-hours trading.