Futures Contracts Across Every Major Market

A futures contract is a standardized agreement traded on a regulated exchange to buy or sell an asset at a set price on a future date. Futures cover markets including stock indexes, energy, metals, cryptocurrencies, U.S. Treasuries, and agricultural commodities. Traders use them to speculate on price direction or to hedge existing positions.

When you buy or sell a futures contract, you agree to its terms: the contract size, tick value, and expiration. You post a margin deposit rather than the full contract value, which creates leverage. Most traders close positions before expiration rather than taking or making delivery. Because of leverage, both gains and losses are amplified, and futures trading involves substantial risk.

Futures are commonly grouped into six market categories: equity index (such as the E-mini S&P 500), energy (crude oil, natural gas), metals (gold, silver, copper), cryptocurrency (bitcoin, ether), interest-rate and Treasury, and agricultural (grains, softs, and livestock). Most categories offer both standard and micro-sized contracts.

You trade futures through a futures broker such as Optimus Futures. After opening and funding an account, you place buy or sell orders through a trading platform. Optimus provides access to professional platforms and both standard and micro contract sizes across major CME Group markets. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see our guide on how to trade futures.

Each futures contract has a defined expiration set by the exchange. Many equity index contracts expire quarterly, while energy and agricultural contracts often expire monthly. Traders who want to hold a position past expiration either roll into the next contract month or, for some newer products, use longer-dated contracts that reduce the need to roll.

Yes. A futures contract is a type of derivative, meaning its value is derived from an underlying asset such as an index, commodity, or cryptocurrency. Futures are standardized and traded on regulated exchanges, which distinguishes them from over-the-counter derivatives like forwards.

Both are derivatives, but a futures contract commits the buyer and seller to transact at expiration unless the position is closed beforehand, while an options contract gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell. Futures use a margin-based structure with no upfront premium, whereas options buyers pay a premium. Traders often use futures for direct directional exposure and options for defined-risk strategies.

Optimus Futures provides access to major CME Group markets, including equity index, energy, metals, cryptocurrency, Treasury, and agricultural futures, in both standard and micro-sized contracts, all from a single account.