Fair Exchange (FairX), a Chicago-based global futures exchange is to launch Micro Crude Oil Futures on 25 October, pending approval from the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
The cash-settled contract, based on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil benchmark, will represent the most cost-effective way for the retail market to trade the price of crude oil.
FairX CEO Neal Brady says: “We’re excited to broaden our product line with Micro Crude Oil Futures as we continue on our mission to provide the retail sector with around-the-clock, low-cost opportunities to access liquid futures markets. Our partnership with Nodal Clear provides critical risk management to our business model as we expand into this new asset class.”
Nodal Clear, a subsidiary of Nodal Exchange, provides clearing for all FairX contracts.
“Nodal Clear is excited to provide the clearing services to support the launch of FairX Micro Crude Oil Futures, enabling retail access to this significant commodity,” says Paul Cusenza, Chairman & CEO of Nodal Clear.
Boris Ilyevsky, Chief Product and Strategy Officer of FairX, adds: “We’re breaking down the barriers that have kept many individual investors from participating in the futures market and in key sectors like oil by designing our products specifically for them – making them straightforward and easy to understand with low fees and free market data. We’ve listened closely to what retail investors need and believe our products appeal not only to experienced futures traders but to those individuals who have long desired to take positions in markets that have been cost-prohibitive, too large or unnecessarily complex.”