Trade Currency Futures
Trade Euro FX, Japanese Yen, British Pound, and other currency contracts with low commissions and intraday margins.
What are Currency Futures?
Currency futures are standardized contracts that let you trade the exchange rate between two currencies, such as the U.S. dollar and the euro, on a regulated exchange.
Unlike spot forex trading, which happens over the counter through a network of dealers, currency futures trade on the CME with centralized pricing, standardized contract sizes, and no dealer markups.
These contracts trade nearly 24 hours a day and are widely used by traders looking to take positions on global interest rate differentials, central bank policy, and macroeconomic trends.
Why Trade Currency Futures?
Trade on a regulated, centralized exchange
Currency futures trade on the CME with transparent, centralized pricing, unlike the decentralized structure of the spot forex market.
Go long or short based on your view
You can take a long or short position on a currency pair based on your view of exchange rate movement.
React to global economic events in real time
Currency prices respond to bank policy decisions, interest rate changes, and economic data releases from around the world, with nearly 24-hour trading to act on those moves.
Futures trading involves substantial risk and is not suitable for all investors. Leverage can work against you as well as for you.
Trade Popular Agricultural Futures
6E
Euro Futures
Tracks the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the euro, the most actively traded currency futures contract on the CME.
6J
Japanese Yen Futures
Tracks the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Japanese yen, closely watched for its sensitivity to global risk sentiment.
6B
British Pound Futures
Tracks the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the British pound, influenced heavily by Bank of England policy.
6A
Australian Dollar Futures
Tracks the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Australian dollar, often used as a gauge of global commodity demand.
View all available contracts
| Code | Product Name | Contract Size | Min. Tick Size | Trading Hours (EST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| /6E | Euro FX Futures | 125,000 EUR | 0.00005 = $6.25 | Sun 5 PM – Fri 4 PM |
| /E7 | E-mini Euro FX Futures | 62,500 EUR | 0.00005 = $3.125 | Sun 5 PM – Fri 4 PM |
| /M6E | Micro Euro FX Futures | 12,500 EUR | 0.0001 = $1.25 | Sun 5 PM – Fri 4 PM |
| /6J | Japanese Yen Futures | 12,500,000 JPY | 0.0000005 = $6.25 | Sun 5 PM – Fri 4 PM |
| /J7 | E-mini Japanese Yen Futures | 6,250,000 JPY | 0.000001 = $6.25 | Sun 5 PM – Fri 4 PM |
| /MJY | Micro Japanese Yen Futures | 1,250,000 JPY | 0.000001 = $1.25 | Sun 5 PM – Fri 4 PM |
| /6A | Australian Dollar Futures | 100,000 AUD | 0.0001 = $10.00 | Sun 5 PM – Fri 4 PM |
| /M6A | Micro Australian Dollar Futures | 10,000 AUD | 0.0001 = $1.00 | Sun 5 PM – Fri 4 PM |
| /6B | British Pound Futures | 62,500 GBP | 0.0001 = $6.25 | Sun 5 PM – Fri 4 PM |
| /M6B | Micro British Pound Futures | 6,250 GBP | 0.0001 = $0.625 | Sun 5 PM – Fri 4 PM |
| /6C | Canadian Dollar Futures | 100,000 CAD | 0.0001 = $10.00 | Sun 5 PM – Fri 4 PM |
| /MCD | Micro Canadian Dollar Futures | 10,000 CAD | 0.0001 = $1.00 | Sun 5 PM – Fri 4 PM |
Start Trading Currency Futures
Trade Micro Currency Futures with Lower Costs
Micro currency futures give you access to the same major currency pairs as the standard contracts, at a fraction of the size and margin requirement.
- Same currency pairs as the standard contracts, including the euro, yen, pound, and Australian and Canadian dollars
- Contract sizes as small as 1/10th the standard size for more precise position sizing
- A practical way to build experience trading currency futures with less capital at risk
Start Trading Futures with a Low-Cost Broker
Open a MetroTrade account and access futures markets with low commissions, competitive margins, and a platform built for active traders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are currency futures?
Currency futures are standardized contracts that let traders take positions on the exchange rate between two currencies, such as the U.S. dollar and the euro. They trade on a regulated exchange rather than over the counter.
How do currency futures differ from spot forex trading?
Spot forex trades over the counter through a decentralized network of dealers, with pricing that can vary between providers. Currency futures trade on the CME with centralized, transparent pricing, standardized contract sizes, and reduced counterparty risk since trades are cleared through the exchange.
What drives the price of currency futures?
Currency futures prices are influenced by central bank interest rate decisions, inflation data, economic growth reports, geopolitical developments, and shifts in global risk sentiment. Interest rate differentials between countries are one of the most closely watched factors.
When do currency futures trade?
Most CME currency futures trade Sunday through Friday, from 5:00 PM ET to 4:00 PM ET the following day, with a one-hour daily break. Trading activity often increases during the London and U.S. session overlap.
What is the difference between a standard and Micro currency futures contract?
Standard contracts like 6E and 6B represent larger notional amounts of the underlying currency. Micro contracts, such as M6E and M6B, are roughly 1/10th the size, with proportionally smaller tick values and margin requirements, making them more accessible to traders with smaller accounts.
How much margin is required to trade currency futures?
Intraday margin requirements for currency contracts vary by contract and are updated periodically. View current requirements on our margins page.
Are currency futures cash-settled?
Yes. Currency futures are cash-settled at expiration, meaning no physical exchange of currency occurs. Most retail traders close positions before expiration rather than holding to settlement.