CFTC-regulated · micro & standard futures
US futures trading, explained
Micro futures are the reason a beginner can start trading US index, crypto and single-stock markets from a $10 account. This guide covers what futures are, how micro contracts differ from standard ones, what you can trade and what it costs on Plus500 US — every figure taken from Plus500's own US disclosures. Futures are leveraged: you can lose more than your initial deposit.
Last updated: 25 August 2026
The short version
A futures contract is a standardised, exchange-traded agreement to buy or sell an asset at a set price on a future date. The barrier used to be margin: a standard E-mini S&P 500 contract needs around $500 of intraday margin. A micro version of the same contract needs about $50. That tenth-size margin — plus a $10 minimum deposit and $0.49-per-side commissions — is why micros suit beginners. The trade-off is that leverage cuts both ways: losses can exceed the margin you post.
What US futures are — and why they're the legal route
Futures are contracts listed on regulated US exchanges such as CME. Rather than dealing with a broker across a private contract, you trade a standardised instrument on an exchange, and your positions are held through a Futures Commission Merchant regulated by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
Because off-exchange contracts for difference cannot be legally offered to US retail traders, exchange-traded futures are the regulated route to index, commodity, crypto and single-stock markets. On Plus500 US the entity you trade with is Plus500US Financial Services LLC d/b/a Plus500 (formerly Cunningham Commodities, LLC), a member of the National Futures Association (NFA ID 0001398) and a full member of CME Group. You can confirm the registration on the NFA BASIC register. For the full breakdown of the broker, see the Plus500 US review.
Micro vs standard contracts
The difference is size. A standard contract controls a larger notional value and therefore needs more margin to hold; a micro contract is a fraction of that size, so it needs a fraction of the margin. The Micro E-mini S&P 500 (MES) tracks the same index as the standard E-mini (ES) at roughly a tenth of the exposure, which is why it is the usual starting point for a smaller account. Smaller size does not remove risk: futures are leveraged, and a losing position can cost more than the margin you posted to open it.
| Contract | Type | Sample intraday margin |
|---|---|---|
| Micro E-mini S&P 500 (MES) | Micro | $50 |
| E-mini S&P 500 (ES) | Standard | $500 |
| Micro Nasdaq-100 | Micro | $100 |
| Micro Bitcoin | Micro | $80 |
| Micro Gold | Micro | $125 |
Sample intraday margins from Plus500 US, shown for illustration; margin requirements are set by the broker and can change. Micro contracts let a beginner size positions in smaller increments while learning, at commissions of $0.49 per side against $0.89 for standard contracts.
What you can trade
Plus500 US covers micro and standard futures across the main futures categories:
The single-stock futures line is one of the newer draws: around 36 names, including Nvidia, Apple, Tesla, Amazon, SpaceX and Palantir, let you trade individual companies as futures rather than as shares. These are leveraged futures, not stock ownership, and can lose more than your original investment. Alongside futures, the same account can trade CFTC-regulated event contracts — covered in the prediction markets guide.
Costs
Micro and standard futures across equity indices, crypto, energy, metals, forex, agriculture, interest rates and single stocks, traded on CME and other US exchanges through a CFTC-regulated Futures Commission Merchant. Commissions are $0.49 per side on micro contracts and $0.89 on standard, with no platform, data or inactivity fees. Accounts open from a $10 minimum deposit.
| Regulator | CFTC-registered FCM, NFA ID 0001398 |
|---|---|
| Micro commission | $0.49 per contract, per side |
| Standard commission | $0.89 per contract, per side |
| NFA fee | $0.02 per side, per contract (plus exchange fees) |
| Liquidation fee | $10 per contract (auto-liquidation) |
| Minimum deposit | $10 (debit/Apple Pay/Google Pay); $200 by wire |
| Platform fees | $0 — no platform, market-data, routing or inactivity fees |
| Sample intraday margins | Micro E-mini S&P 500 (MES) $50; E-mini S&P 500 (ES) $500; Micro Nasdaq-100 $100; Micro Bitcoin $80; Micro Gold $125 |
| Single-stock futures | ~36 names incl. Nvidia, Apple, Tesla, Amazon, SpaceX, Palantir |
| Platform | Proprietary WebTrader + iOS/Android apps; free unlimited demo |
| Market hours | Contracts typically open Sunday 6pm ET, close Friday ~4:30–5pm ET |
How to start from $10
Accepted deposit methods are Debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Bank transfer (wire), each from a $10 minimum ($200 by wire). Credit cards and Prepaid cards are not accepted. A free demo account with unlimited virtual funds lets you practise on the same instruments before funding.
- Apply in-platform at us.plus500.com; approval is discretionary and not all applicants qualify.
- Verify your identity — a government photo ID plus proof of address issued within the last three months.
- Start on the free demo, or fund from $10 by debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay ($200 by wire).
- Open your first position in a micro contract to keep size and margin small while you learn.
First-deposit commission credit
Plus500 US offers a first-deposit commission credit on a tiered scale. It offsets futures commissions rather than being cash you can withdraw, and it does not reduce the risk of trading — you can still lose more than you deposit.
| First deposit | Commission-credit bonus |
|---|---|
| $500 | $20 |
| $1,000 | $50 |
| $5,000 | $100 |
| $10,000 | $200 |
First-deposit commission credit. Applies to futures commissions only, credited at 50% of the commission rate traded until depleted, and unused balances expire after 90 days. One-time use; not withdrawable. Source: us.plus500.com/en/markets/bonus (verified 2026-08-24).
FAQ
Are Plus500 US futures the same as CFDs?
No. These are exchange-traded futures listed on CME and other US exchanges, traded through Plus500US Financial Services LLC, a CFTC-registered Futures Commission Merchant (NFA ID 0001398). Off-exchange CFDs are not offered to US traders because they cannot be legally sold to US retail clients.
How much margin do micro futures need compared with standard contracts?
Far less. Sample intraday margins are $50 for the Micro E-mini S&P 500 (MES) against $500 for the standard E-mini S&P 500 (ES) — about a tenth. Other micros are similar: $100 for Micro Nasdaq-100, $80 for Micro Bitcoin and $125 for Micro Gold. Lower margin also means smaller position sizes, but futures are leveraged and you can lose more than the margin you post.
What does it cost to trade futures on Plus500 US?
Commissions are $0.49 per contract per side on micro contracts and $0.89 per side on standard contracts, plus a $0.02 per-side NFA fee and exchange fees. There are no platform, market-data, routing or inactivity fees. An auto-liquidation fee of $10 per contract applies where positions are force-closed.
What is the minimum deposit and how do I fund an account?
From $10 by debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, or $200 by wire. Credit cards and prepaid cards are not accepted. A free demo account with unlimited virtual funds is available to practise first.
Can I trade single stocks as futures?
Yes. Plus500 US lists around 36 single-stock futures, including names such as Nvidia, Apple, Tesla, Amazon, SpaceX and Palantir, alongside index, crypto, energy, metals, forex, agriculture and interest-rate futures. As with all futures, these are leveraged and can lose more than your original investment.
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