US fintech leader targets British retail investors with new futures products
London, UK – Robinhood futures trading: American fintech company Robinhood is set to make another major move into the UK market by launching futures trading in partnership with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME). The expansion marks a significant step in Robinhood’s global ambitions as it seeks to attract more British retail investors and strengthen its international footprint.
The company announced that eligible UK customers will soon be able to trade more than 40 CME futures products, including contracts linked to the S&P 500 index, crude oil, and gold. According to Robinhood, this new feature will become available in the coming weeks, with each contract carrying a $0.75 trading fee.
A new chapter for retail traders in the UK
The introduction of Robinhood futures trading in the UK is a major development for the retail trading community. Traditionally, futures trading in Britain has been dominated by institutional players with deep pockets and professional expertise. However, Robinhood aims to change that narrative by offering an accessible, mobile-first platform with easy-to-use tools and low fees.
“In the UK, futures trading has traditionally been seen as the preserve of institutional investors, with limited resources to help retail traders get started,” said Jordan Sinclair, president of Robinhood’s UK division.
“Today, we start changing that. We’re introducing futures trading with an intuitive mobile experience, smarter tools, education and insights, and some of the lowest fees in the industry.”
This move reflects Robinhood’s broader mission of democratizing finance — giving everyday investors the same access to markets that were once available only to professionals.
Building on recent UK expansion
Robinhood’s latest launch follows a series of major product rollouts in the UK. The platform entered the UK market in November 2023, marking its first international expansion outside the US. In February 2025, Robinhood introduced options trading for British users, and in October 2024, it rolled out margin investing, allowing customers to borrow funds directly from the platform to increase their trading power.
Now, with futures trading, the company is taking another big step forward in its UK growth strategy — creating a more comprehensive ecosystem for active traders.
Competition heats up among UK trading platforms
The arrival of Robinhood futures trading adds a new level of competition to the UK’s online brokerage landscape. Established platforms like IG Group, Saxo Bank, and Interactive Brokers have long offered futures trading services to experienced investors. However, Robinhood’s approach — combining low-cost trades, a simple interface, and educational support — may appeal to a younger generation of retail traders looking for flexibility and transparency.
Analysts suggest that Robinhood’s entry could push other brokers to rethink their pricing models and modernize their user experience to retain customers. The company’s reputation for zero-commission stock trading in the US has already disrupted traditional brokerage business models, and its move into futures trading in the UK could have a similar impact.
What UK investors can expect
With the upcoming launch, UK investors will gain access to a wide range of CME futures contracts, covering major indices, energy, metals, and commodities. These instruments allow traders to speculate on price movements or hedge against market volatility.
For example, investors could trade S&P 500 futures to gain exposure to the US stock market, or crude oil contracts to take positions on energy price trends. Robinhood has stated that it will also provide educational materials, market insights, and risk management tools to help traders navigate the complexities of futures markets safely.
The $0.75 per contract trading fee positions Robinhood among the most affordable futures brokers available to UK retail traders, aligning with its commitment to low-cost investing.
Robinhood’s evolution from stock trading app to global platform
Founded in 2013 by Vlad Tenev and Baiju Bhatt, Robinhood began as a commission-free stock trading app for US retail investors. Over the past decade, it has transformed into a multi-asset trading platform, offering access to stocks, ETFs, options, cryptocurrencies, and now futures.
The company’s success in the US — driven by its simple design and low barriers to entry — has made it one of the most recognized fintech brands globally. By expanding to the UK, Robinhood is positioning itself as a global player capable of challenging both traditional brokers and new-age fintech competitors.
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A step toward global retail inclusion
With this new Robinhood futures trading launch, the company reinforces its vision of making financial markets more inclusive and educational for everyone — not just professionals. By bringing advanced products like futures to mobile traders, Robinhood is helping bridge the gap between Wall Street and Main Street.
As the platform continues to expand across Europe and beyond, industry experts believe Robinhood could play a key role in reshaping the global retail investment landscape, giving individual investors more power, tools, and freedom to participate in the financial markets on their own terms.
