A Brief HistoryProductsMinimum Initial DepositSpreads & CommissionsLeverageOther Trading FeesNadex Trading PlatformMobile AppsMethods of PaymentBonusNadex AccountsDemo AccountAdditional FeaturesRegulationBenefitsDrawbacksNadex Trading HoursContact & Customer SupportSafety & SecurityNadex VerdictAccepted CountriesAlternatives to Nadex
Nadex is a US-based exchange providing powerful trading tools and advanced features to traders of all experience levels. Nadex is not a brokerage, but a CFTC-regulated exchange.
Nadex focuses on trading in binary options, Knock-outs™ and call spreads on the most popular traded commodities, forex and stock index futures. This review of Nadex will evaluate all elements of their offering, including pricing, accounts and trading platforms – including NadexGO, the new mobile platform, before concluding with a final verdict.
A Brief History
Before looking at the potential for day trading returns, it can help to understand how Nadex has evolved into the leading exchange of its kind.
The exchange was launched in 2004 and was originally known as “HedgeStreet”. The objective at that point was to create an electronic marketplace that facilitated trading in financial derivatives to retail investors.
However, by 2007 HedgeStreet closed its doors.
UK-based IG Group Holdings Plc. purchased the company and in 2009 HedgeStreet was re-branded the North American Derivatives Exchange (Nadex), with sophisticated new technology and instruments.
Nadex was acquired and became a part of the Crypto.com global brand in 2022.
Products
Part of the improved product range saw a greater choice of binary options.
In fact, their binaries and call spread contracts cover an array of underlying markets, including commodity futures, equity index futures and spot forex rates. Furthermore, Nadex members can take positions on all of the following assets on:
Stock Index Futures – US 500 (S&P 500), Wall Street 30 (DOW), US Tech 100 (Nasdaq), US SmallCap 2000 (Russell 2000), FTSE 100, Germany 40 (DAX), Japan 225 (Nikkei), China 50
Forex pairs – EUR/USD, USD/JPY, GBP/USD, USD/CHF, AUD/USD, EUR/GBP, USD/CAD, AUD/JPY, GBP/JPY, EUR/JPY, USD/MXN
Commodities – Crude Oil, Gold, Silver, Copper, Natural Gas, Soybeans, Corn
Traders are also able to benefit from a choice of expiration times, including intraday, daily and weekly expirations. The best Nadex trading signals therefore use this entire range.
But while using Nadex does mean you can start trading on just 5-minute forex or 20 minute stock index binary options, their product range does not include 60-second binaries or similar products, as some competitors do.
Nadex do add new products regularly, and Knock-out™ contracts are one such addition. The Knock-out™ is a contract that allows the trader to speculate on price movement of a market within a pre-defined range. The range is limited by the floor and ceiling prices.
Within these levels, the value of the contract will move in linearity with the movement of the underlying market.
The micro lot sizes of the new Knock-out™ contracts provide options to trade with low capital requirements. With the built-in floor and ceiling structure, whether long or short, the contracts provide pinpoint risk control.
No slippage and no nasty shocks. This provides the power of leverage with but with managed risk – The maximum risk on any trade is the only capital required to secure that trade.
Once the trade is open, the capital requirements never change, even when held overnight, making these contracts as easy to swing trade as to day trade.
Minimum Initial Deposit
Nadex welcomes traders by requiring just a $250 minimum initial deposit. This is actually just half the industry average.
In fact, Nadex has made strides to ensure once you have funded your account, you can start trading a variety of markets in binaries and spreads immediately.
This low initial deposit is particularly attractive for beginners who may not want to risk too much capital at the offset.
An even more powerful aspect of risk protection is the capped risk. The most you can lose on a binary options is the amount you paid to enter the trade, since the binary’s value cannot go below zero.
Since you can never risk more than you have in your account, your losses cannot exceed deposits.
Spreads & Commissions
Most brokers do not offer genuine exchange trading. Because Nadex is an exchange and not a brokerage, traders can submit their orders direct to the exchange and not through a broker. Therefore, Nadex members also do not need to pay any broker commissions.
Instead, Nadex charges a fixed fee of $1 per side, per contract. If a binary options trade expires worthless, Nadex will waive the settlement fee. These trading and settlement fees are Nadex’s sole source of income. This means they do not trade against their traders.
Some suggest this may mean attractive earnings potential as your trading costs are lower. In terms of payouts, maximum losses and profits are calculated via entry/exit times, as well as the contract type.
Payouts can exceed 100% while losses are limited to the amount of capital initially invested. Because you cannot take trades if you do not already have the needed amount in your account, losses cannot exceed deposits.
Because Nadex does not participate in trading, the bid/ask spreads in individual markets, as well as the pricing, are determined solely by the participant buyers and sellers.
That said, as a CFTC-regulated exchange, Nadex partners with multiple market makers to ensure viable liquidity and bid/ask spreads.
Nadex Call Spreads
Nadex also offers a unique product called “Call spreads”. These are offered on a number of markets, including stock index futures, commodities and forex. But fear not – understanding these spreads is straightforward.
You can trade the price of a market like EUR/USD within a range. As the price of EUR/USD fluctuates, so does the spread, although it remains within a predetermined upper and lower limit.
It’s worth highlighting that if the value of EUR/USD exceeds one of the limits, the EUR/USD spread value will come to a standstill at whichever limit it is breaching.
At the upper limit, the spread stops at a maximum value. At the lower limit, the spread reaches a minimum and will not lose any more value, no matter how far the underlying market drops.
As a result, you get enhanced control over your risk-reward ratio. This is because you decide your risk parameters via the call spread limits.
You have intraday and daily call spreads. Each will require a careful spread strategy. This is hopefully where the Nadex trading platform comes into play. Details of which can be found further below.
You hopefully now know what a Nadex spread is. However, for a more detailed breakdown of forex and binary spreads, head over to the official website. You will also find contract specs.
Leverage
The advantage of Nadex spreads in terms of leverage also needs to be explained. Normally, spot forex traders in the US, for example, can’t get better than 50:1.
Nadex spreads are fully collateralised and dont involve margin. They are not a leveraged trading product, but more like a short-term option. However, in many cases the cost of a Nadex spread can be lower than trading the underlying market outright.
This low cost of can effectively give you a high reward vs risk.
You also have a certain degree of risk control, since your maximum risk is capped. The best Nadex trading strategies will ensure this risk management element is at the root of the strategy.
Plus you can exit early to further limit your losses. Alternatively, you can seize your profits before the spread expires.
Other Trading Fees
Reviews of Nadex have been quick to highlight their pricing structure is fairly transparent. As a result, traders do not have to worry about a range of hidden fees that will cut into their end of the day capital.
Having said that, there is a $25 returned deposit fee. If you do need to pay any other fees, you will encounter clear notices.
So, is Nadex a good exchange in terms of fees? If used carefully, trading with Nadex could well mean you have the benefit of effective leverage and low trading fees, and all while keeping risk levels low. However, as is the very nature of day trading, your capital is always at risk.
Unfortunately, user reviews are quick to point out that Nadex often falls short in terms of account promotions and special offers versus other binary providers. This generally reflects the more professional and trustworthy operation of the brand.
However, occasionally they will run free trading days and other similar offers. You will need to check on their official website for any current details of these.
Nadex Trading Platform
One of the most important components of the trader’s experience is the platform. This is where you will spend the majority of your time, conducting market research and executing trades.
Results from Nadex’s proprietary platform reviews are mixed. While you have everything you need, from technical indicators to free real-time market data feeds, the platform has somewhat of a foreign feel. Hence new traders may want to get a feel for the platform using the demo account first.
How to Trade
On the positive side, getting set up on the platform is relatively straight forward. Simply head to the ‘Finder’ window on the left of the platform to select an asset.
This will bring up a clean selection of expiration time frames to choose from.
Note all times are listed in Eastern Time (ET).
Once both the asset and expiry have been chosen, your ‘Markets’ window will update. You will then be met with price levels available for trading. Normally you can expect around 10 levels to choose between.
Nadex binary options range from 0 to 100. The former is when the settled option did not finish in the money, while the latter reflects an outcome that did take place.
Your trading ticket will then confirm:
Expiry time
Price level
Bid size
Current bid and offer prices
You will then need to select buy or sell and specific a trade size. You also have the option to alter the buy or sell price above or below current levels to see if your position will be ‘matched’.
As a regulated exchange, Nadex will never take the other side of your trade. Your order will only be matched by another trader.
Of course, you can close your trades at any time. This will allow you to realise profits or reduce losses. Finally, the figures your ticket displays highlight the outcomes if you allow the option to expire.
Then you just need to hit ‘Place Order’. If matched, you should be able to view your trade in the Open positions window.
However, if it is only partially matched, it will be automatically moved to the Working Orders screen. You will then get an email confirmation with the details of your trade and another when an order is settled.
Platform Verdict
As forex and binary options customer reviews have explained, the platform is fairly user-friendly allowing even for beginners to understand how to trade with ease. Access to historical data is given, as are all the necessary symbols and tools to interpret price action.
Mobile Apps
Mobile app reviews are quick to point out that Nadex’s new Progressive Web App offering called NadexGO is one of the most comprehensive on the market.
As soon as you have completed your download of NadexGO, you will start to appreciate the sleek user interface and concise design. In fact, the dealing ticket trading area looks extremely similar to the desktop platform.
Conducting research is straightforward while setting up alerts is quick and hassle-free. You also get access to the same free signals while viewing your order history is simple. On top of that, you can utilise binary options app tutorials to help you make the most of your Apple or Android app.
Overall then, the mobile apps provide a smooth transition from the desktop-based platform. Furthermore, NadexGO is actually supported by a browser-based interface which you can open up from within your mobile device.
This should all help alleviate concerns among traders who worry they won’t be able to implement a 20 minute or hourly options strategy effectively.
Methods of Payment
Once you have signed up, you will need to go about funding your account. Fortunately, Nadex offers a number of ways you can go about deposits and withdrawals, including:
Debit card
Wire transfer
ACH transfer (US residents only)
Paper check (US residents only)
Note bank verification will be required for some transactions and credit cards are not accepted. Users may need to pay withdrawal fees if they use wire transfers, which will cost $25 but will normally be processed the same business day. Whereas ACH transfers are free but usually take between three to five days.
You can head to your account section to choose a specific payment amount. Also, see their FAQ page for details on minimum withdrawal limits, proof and any other issues, as these will depend on the payment method and can change over time.
While these payment methods are fairly industry standard, some user reviews did complain about the lack of an option to fund an account or take profits via PayPal.
Bonus
Nadex us currently offering a $100 deposit bonus promotion.
New customers making a deposit of $1000 or more, and placing 5 trades within 30 days of opening the account, can get a $100 bonus.
Full T&Cs can be found on the website.
Nadex Accounts
Opening a Nadex account is relatively straightforward. There are just two account types to choose from, a US individual account and an international individual account available for residents of over 40 other countries. For a full list of countries, visit the Account types pages at the Nadex website.
All you need to do is head online and follow the on-screen instructions. You will need to provide:
Date of birth
Permanent residential address
Social Security Number or National Identification Number
Note you may have to upload supporting documents before you can start trading. You will also need to fund your account. When you sign up you will also be given information on how to close your account.
Demo Account
Nadex offers a free practice account. Once you have your demo login details you can use the same platform and real-time data as those with live trading accounts. Signing up for a demo account is the ideal way to practice generating profits without having to risk real capital. You can practice scalping strategies, intraday strategies, or any others.
It’s also worth noting there are certain differences between demo vs live trading. For example, a practice account cannot replicate the psychological pressures that come with putting real capital on the line.
If your demo account is not working, you can contact customer support. You can also see the Learning Center for guidance on how to get the most out of the trading platform.
Additional Features
Reviews of Nadex praise the extensive resources available. All of which may help you understand how it all works on Nadex. Some tools might also help you earn an income and work towards personal success, including:
Advanced charting – Sophisticated charts and technical tools can be used for developing a range of techniques, including an out the money (OTM) strategy. For example, you could also use candlestick charts, Fibonacci retracements and the MACD indicator to help you build a binary options strategy, with a favourable risk to reward ratio.
Nadex spreads – They are similar to binary options as they have a maximum possible profit and loss. However, they have a variable payout at expiration instead of the all-or-nothing outcome of binaries.
Market data – Nadex offers real-time indicative price data which cosely matches the price of the underlying market. There is no delay. Nadex does not charge an additional fee for data feeds.
News trading – Some utilise complex patterns and trading journals to craft and enhance a binary strangle, for example. However, some traders focus on market news and fortunately, Nadex provides daily, actionable commentary and video on important market events. This content is created exclusively for Nadex by a group of experienced and trusted analysts from a variety of trading backgrounds. The best Nadex trading signals utilise a range of datapoints.
Education – From weekly webinars to e-books and trading courses – there is a wealth of information to aid your trading growth in Nadex’s Learning Center. On top of that, you could also head online to find forex binary options videos and strategies to trade stock indices with capped risk in a volatile market environment.
Regulation
As a result of hacks and promises from brokers to make traders millionaires, choosing a place to trade binary options that is regulated is increasingly important.
So, is Nadex a scam? Users can relax in the knowledge that Nadex is legitimate and regulated by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). You can see their official website for verification.
This regulation should also put traders outside the USA at ease too. Whether you are in the US or one of the over 40 other eligible countries – whether it be Mexico, Japan or the United Kingdom, Nadex aims to treat all consumers fairly.
Benefits
There are a number of clear advantages to choosing Nadex, including:
Management – Managing market orders and quotes are quick and easy on the Nadex system.
Customer service – User reviews report high levels of satisfaction with the extensive customer service on offer.
Market makers – Nadex has attracted market makers, who may lead to increased liquidity for more and larger traders.
Fee structure – When you take Nadex vs IQ Option and Cboe, you realize that Nadex offers a competitive, transparent pricing structure.
Demo account – Opening a free demo account is straightforward and can be an effective way to go about understanding Nadex while gaining valuable trading experience.
Accessibility – Nadex welcomes traders from over 40 countries. This means Nadex is a viable option for UK residents, as well as those from the US, Europe , Asia, Australia and beyond.
Regulation – Nadex is regulated by the US CFTC to ensure trader’s capital is protected in a number of scenarios. Furthermore, Nadex will have to adhere to rules and regulations specifically designed to protect consumers.
Training – Nadex provides tutorials, user guides, PDFs, ebooks, webinars and a number of other useful resources through their Learning Center. This is a fantastic place to go for aspiring traders who need help developing winning strategies. In fact, their webinars, in particular, can impart detailed guidance on short term trading, scalping with 5-minute binaries, as well as details on crafting an effective ATM or hedging strategy. Not to mention that there is a wealth of trading tips and strategies information available too.
Knock-outs™ – The power of leverage but with capped downside. Micro-lots make them ultra flexible.
Drawbacks
Despite benefits, user reviews also expose some downsides to the Nadex offering, including:
Instrument list – Vs binary options brokers, such as Oanda and Stockpair, Nadex does not offer as extensive a range of products. For example, they do not provide one-touch monthly binaries.
Promotions & bonuses – Nadex is faulted in options reviews and ratings for not offering special offers and new-customers bonuses.
Difficulty – Although Nadex is beginner-friendly in a number of ways, some users may find their binary options trading to be more complex than other binary options providers.
Order types – Some competitors offer more order types and therefore increased choice for intraday traders.
Nadex Trading Hours
Nadex trading hours will be the same as the asset you are trading. This includes both the regular and electronic trading hours. From Sunday evening until the close of markets on Friday, US Eastern Time, Nadex offers trading 23 hours a day, with an hour off from 5pm to 6pm for exchange maintenance.
If a particular market is closed due to a holiday observance, Nadex will stop trading of that market during the holiday period.
Contact & Customer Support
Nadex exchange reviews are quick to praise the customer service component of their offering. If you have any problems, you can make contact via email or live chat. Customer service representatives are reliable and knowledgeable.
They can help you if the website is down and point you towards any legal rules and necessary extensions. They may also be able to explain why an order was cancelled. In addition, reviews show agents had a strong technical grasp of the platform and tools.
Simply head to the home page and then ‘Contact Us’ for the contact telephone number in your location. Note customer support assistants are available via email or phone between 15:00 ET on Sunday to 17:00 ET on Friday.
Also, as a result of exchange accounting and other requirements, agents are available 24 hours a day from Sunday at 3 until Friday at 4:30 ET.
This means novice traders who want instant access to customer support may want to look elsewhere. This is a shame because competitors are continuing to increase their customer service offering, with some even facilitating live video chat.
Note customer service agents cannot advise you on revenue and taxes, including any form of capital gains calculators and reporting.
Safety & Security
With account hacks no longer being uncommon, some traders understandably have security concerns. Fortunately, Nadex has made keeping your capital safe relatively easy.
Segregated accounts at top-tier banks keep all client deposits secure. Furthermore, the Nadex group expressly state they utilise intelligent encryption technologies to keep all trading activity and personal information safe.
Nadex Verdict
Nadex is a sensible choice for traders looking to trade binary options across numerous time frames with powerful trade tools. Their offering also comes complete with a demo account, competitive prices and an extensive Learning Center.
However, Nadex does come with certain downsides. Firstly, some competitors offer a more extensive product list. Secondly, Nadex could provide more in terms of welcome bonuses and promotions.
Overall then, is Nadex a good choice for binary options traders and does it compare favorably to binary options brokers? Yes, the US based, regulated exchange (not broker) is capable of meeting and exceeding the needs of both novice and veteran traders.
But rule 101, you must develop effective options strategies. Failure to do so could result in you effectively gambling and puts you at risk of losing your account balance.
However, because of Nadex’s capped risk guarantee, you cannot lose more than your deposit.
Accepted Countries
Nadex only accepts traders from United States.
Alternatives to Nadex
If you are looking for alternatives to Nadex we have compiled a list of the top 5 brokers that are similar to Nadex below. This list of brokers like Nadex is in order of similarity and only includes companies that accept traders from your location.
Alpari – Alpari offer forex, CFD and binary options trading across a big range of markets with low spreads and a range of account types that deliver for every level of trader from beginner to professional.
XM – XM.com Offer a range of Account types and a low minimum deposit to appeal to all levels of trader. With 1000+ markets and low spreads they offer a great service.
Trading212 – Trading 212 Offer a truly mobile trading experience. With tight spreads and a huge range of markets, they offer a dynamic and detailed trading environment. Recent customer care issues have severely damaged the reputation of the brand.
IQ Option – Open an account with just $10. Trade over 14 Cryptocurrencies directly, traditional forex with low spreads or trade digital options with payouts up to 900% (successful trades only).
Quotex – Quotex offers a proprietary web platform that offers digital options and copy trading.