Nadex Review 2024

Contributor Image
Written By
Contributor Image
Written By
Tobias Robinson
Tobias is a partner at DayTrading.com, director of a UK limited company and active trader. He has over 25 years of experience in the financial industry and contributed via CySec to the regulatory response to digital options and CFD trading in Europe. Toby’s expertise and dedication to financial education make him a trusted voice in the industry, including a BBC investigation into digital options.
Contributor Image
Fact Checked By
Contributor Image
Fact Checked By
William Berg
William contributes to several investment websites, leveraging his experience as a consultant for IPOs in the Nordic market and background providing localization for forex trading software. William has worked as a writer and fact-checker for a long row of financial publications.
Updated

4.3 / 5
Nadex is #8 in our binary options broker rankings.
$250
Own
Binary Options, Knock Outs™, Call Spreads
CFTC
USD
Wire Transfer, Debit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Cheque, ACH Transfer

Pros

  • The broker's flagship terminal offers a decent range of charting features, including 25+ indicators and 20 drawing tools
  • There's a range of timeframes, from ticks to hours, that will suit both short and longer term strategies
  • Good educational resources are available in the Blog for those new to binary options trading

Cons

  • There is only a single platform option, with no third-party software like MT4 or MT5
  • There are limited payment methods supported compared to other brokers, with only transfers, checks and debit cards available
  • The range of markets is very narrow, including 11 currency pairs and only 8 cryptos

Nadex Review

The North American Derivatives Exchange, 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. The company focuses on trading in binary options, Knock-outs™ and call spreads on the most popular traded commodities, forex and stock indices. This 2024 review of Nadex’s services will evaluate all elements of their offering, including fees and pricing, demo accounts, educational classes, signals services and trading software, including NadexGO – the new mobile platform.

Company Details

Before looking at the potential for trading returns, it can help to understand how Nadex has evolved into the leading exchange and binary options provider 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, with headquarters located in Chicago, North America. The company is regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and accepts clients from 40+ countries worldwide. Today, the exchange executes over 10,000 hourly, daily and weekly contracts five days a week via mobile and desktop platforms.

Nadex Trading Platform

The Nadex trading software consists of a proprietary trading platform. The terminal can be accessed via desktop devices or via mobile app. Traders benefit from a dynamic and robust suite of charts and tools so you can invest funds in a way that suits you.

We tested the Nadex platform and are confident that investors will find everything they need, from technical indicators to free real-time market data feeds. Other customer reviews also confirm this, with many rating the terminal as user-friendly with full access to historical data, plus all the necessary symbols and tools to interpret price action.

How It WorksNadex how to trade

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:

You will then need to select buy or sell and specify 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 realize profits or reduce losses. Finally, the figures your ticket displays highlight the outcomes if you allow the option to expire.

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.

Assets & Markets

Nadex binary options, call spread and Knock Out™ contracts cover an array of underlying markets, including commodity futures, equity index futures and spot forex rates. Nadex offers day traders the opportunity to speculate on the following markets without owning the underlying asset:

Binary Options

The most popular trading product associated with Nadex is binary options. Access markets 23 hours a day, five days a week. You can hold contracts to expiry or exit early, minimizing losses or protecting profits. This includes the benefit of a choice of expiry times, including intraday, daily and weekly expirations. The best Nadex daily trading pro signals use this 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 turbo options, as some competitors do.

Nadex Binary Options Review
Nadex Binary Options Trading

Knock Out™

Nadex do add new products regularly, and Knock-out™ contracts are one such addition. Our review shows 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.

There is also 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.

Nadex Knock Out Review
Nadex Knock Out™

Call Spread

Nadex also offers a unique product called “Call Spreads”. Simply explained, a call spread is a trading strategy that involves buying and selling call options at the same time. These are offered on a number of markets, including currencies, commodities and stock index futures.

Investors must use bull call spreads or bear call spreads depending on market predictions. Each contract will have built-in floor and ceiling, representing the total potential value of the trade and providing defined maximum risk and profit. The Nadex call spread represents a single unit with short contract durations and is available in small contract sizes.

Let’s say you believe that the price of a market such as EUR/USD will rise, so you purchase a Nadex Call Spread contract that expires at the end of the day. The possible outcomes:

Nadex review
Nadex Call Spreads

Nadex Fees

Trading Fees

Trading fees vary by product type (binary options, call spread or Knock out™ contracts). However, because Nadex is an exchange and not a brokerage, traders can submit their limit orders, for example, directly to the exchange with no broker intervention, avoiding sometimes costly commissions. Instead, Nadex charges a $1 fixed fee per side, per contract (relevant for direct members). This cost reduces with membership tiering, the lowest being a $0.35 charge per side for FCM Member’s which is ideal for high volume traders. Full contract specs are detailed on the exchange’s website.

When our experts used the Nadex platform, it was reassuring to see that any settlement fees are covered by the exchange if a binary options trade expires worthless. These trading and settlement fees are Nadex’s sole source of income. This means they do not trade against their investors. 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. And 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.

Non-Trading Fees

While using Nadex, we can confirm there are no membership fees for any account type. Direct Trading Members who have a dormant account, that is, an account that has not engaged in any trading activity for a period of 12 consecutive months, will incur an inactivity fee of $10 per month.

Our experts are pleased with Nadex’s pricing structure transparency. As a result, we are confident that 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 low trading fees, whilst keeping risk levels relatively transparent. However, as is the very nature of day trading, your capital is always at risk.

Minimum Initial Deposit

Nadex requires a $250 minimum initial deposit, ideal for beginners not wanting to risk too much capital at the offset. You can start trading immediately. Nonetheless, this is significantly higher vs IQ Option and Quotex with a $10 initial deposit.

Leverage Review

Nadex does not offer leveraged trading opportunities. Instead, it focuses on facilitating short-term trading strategies using binary options, Knock-outs™, and call spreads. Normally, spot forex traders in the US, for example, can’t get better leverage than 1:50.

Nadex spreads are fully collateralized and don’t 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 control, since your maximum risk is capped. The best Nadex trading strategies will ensure this risk management element is at the root of their strategy. Plus you can exit early to further limit your losses. Alternatively, you can seize your profits before the spread expires.

Mobile Apps

When using the mobile compatible services offered by Nadex, we were pleased the new Progressive Web App offering called NadexGO, one of the most comprehensive on the market. Access all the tools you need to trade like a pro, anywhere, at any time. Traders can make use of the fully-featured charts, drawing tools and technical indicators while on the go.

Nadex GO review
Nadex GO

Once we had completed the download of NadexGO, we were pleased with the initial sleek design, with a user-friendly interface and simple navigation. 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 signals which are free while viewing your order history. On top of that, you can utilize binary options app tutorials to help you make the most of your Apple or Android application.

Overall, our experts confirm that the mobile app provides 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 help alleviate concerns among traders who worry they won’t be able to implement a 20 minute or hourly options strategy effectively.

Payment Methods

Once you have signed up with Nadex, you will need to go about funding your account. Nadex supports several express payment methods for deposits and withdrawals:

Note, bank verification will be required for some transactions and credit cards are not accepted. It is good to see when using Nadex that the firm does not charge any fees for any deposit methods, though third-party charges may apply.

Processing times vary between payment methods, with debit cards offering the fastest solution. Bank wire transfers and paper checks can take between one to five working days for funds to clear.

Users may need to pay withdrawal fees if they use wire transfers, which will cost $25 but are typically processed the same business day. 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 more 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 do complain about the lack of an option to fund an account or take profits via PayPal.

Nadex Demo Account

Nadex offers a free practice account with access to $10,000 in virtual funds. 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 other trading systems.

It is 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.

Deals & Promotions

Nadex is currently not operating any bonus or promotional schemes. Unfortunately, user reviews are quick to point out that Nadex often falls short in terms of account promotions and special offers versus other binary options providers. This generally reflects the more professional and trustworthy operation of the brand. Nonetheless, occasionally they will run free trading days and other similar offers.

Keep an eye on the exchange’s official website for upcoming promotions.

Regulation & Licensing

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 a legitimate investing platform. The exchange is regulated by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). This is a reputable authority, which grants licenses to reliable brokers and financial exchanges. 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 including Mexico, Japan or the United Kingdom, Nadex aims to treat all consumers fairly.

The exchange is committed to the highest standard of ethics and conduct, complying with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations. Investors can be assured that deposited funds are held in segregated bank accounts at BMO Harris Bank and Fifth Third Bank and are not commingled with Nadex’s operational funds.

Additional Features

When we used the Nadex platform, we were pleased with the extensive resources available. Some tools might also help you earn an income and improve your trading success. Additional tools and services include:

Nadex education

Nadex Account Types

Nadex offers just one live account type, though US investors should apply separately for a US Individual Account. Traders can access binary options trading, call spreads, and Knock-out™ contracts within one profile. The minimum deposit requirement is $250.

When we opened a Nadex account, it took just a few minutes and it was a relatively straightforward process. Simply select the ‘open account’ logo on the top right of each webpage and follow the on-screen instructions. You will need to provide the following verification information:

Note, you may have to upload additional 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.

Benefits

There are a number of advantages to choosing Nadex:

Drawbacks

Despite benefits, there are some downsides to the Nadex offering:

Nadex Trading Hours

Nadex opening 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

Our experts were pleased with this customer service component of Nadex’s offering. If you have any problems, you can make contact with the brand’s customer service agents via email or live chat. Simply head to the home page and then the ‘Contact Us’ logo for the local telephone number in your location.

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. With this, novice traders who want instant, 24/7 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.

Nadex customer support agents 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, trader reviews show agents had a strong technical grasp of the platform and tools.

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 state they utilize intelligent encryption technologies to keep all trading activity and personal information safe.

An even more powerful aspect of risk protection is the capped losses. 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.

Nadex Verdict

Nadex is a sensible choice for retail investors 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, 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.

FAQs

Does Nadex Offer MT4 Or MT5 Trading Platform Compatibility?

No, Nadex does not offer MT4 or MT5 trading terminals. Instead, the exchange integrates proprietary trading software. Nonetheless, you can utilize third-party signal providers, auto trader bots like expert advisors, and stop-loss plugin software.

Does Nadex Offer A Mobile App?

Nadex offers a free proprietary mobile app called NadexGo. It provides access to all the trading features and functionality of desktop devices, in a compatible application for iPhones, iPads and other tablet devices. You can download the app from your relevant app store.

How Do Nadex Call Spreads Work?

The Nadex call spread is a trading strategy that involves buying and selling call options at the same time. Investors can use bull call spreads or bear call spreads depending on market predictions. Contracts can range from two hours to one week in length. Understanding call spreads is easy. If the indicative price has moved up when the contract has expired, you will make a profit. On the other hand, if the price has moved down at expiry, you will face a loss.

Does Nadex Offer A Demo Account Option?

Yes, new clients can practise trading with Nadex via a demo terminal. Access up to $10,000 in virtual funds and flexible leverage. You can practise trading completely risk-free in a simulated market environment. All assets and trading products are available.

What Is The Minimum Deposit Requirement To Trade With Nadex?

Nadex has an initial minimum deposit requirement of $250. This is higher versus several binary options brokers.

Top 3 Alternatives to Nadex

Compare Nadex with the top 3 similar brokers that accept traders from your location.

  1. World Forex – World Forex is an offshore broker registered in St Vincent and the Grenadines, offering commission-free trading with a $1 minimum deposit and 1:1000 leverage. Digital contracts are also available, offering beginners a straightforward way to speculate on popular financial markets.

  2. Videforex – Launched in 2017, Videforex offers access to stock, index, crypto, forex and commodities markets via binary options and CFDs. The proprietary platform, mobile app and integrated copy trading are user-friendly and will suit new and casual traders, and the market analysis tools and trading contests provide good ways to improve your trading skills.

  3. Pocket Option – Established in 2017, Pocket Option is a binary options broker offering high/low contracts on forex, stocks, indices, commodities and cryptocurrencies. With over 100,000 active users and a global reach, the platform continues to prove popular with budding traders.

Nadex Comparison Table

Compare Nadex With Similar Brokers
Nadex World Forex Videforex Pocket Option
Rating 4.3 4 3.4 4.2
Markets Binary Options, Knock Outs™, Call Spreads Forex, CFD Stocks, Metals, Energies, Cryptos, Digital Contracts Binary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto Binary Options, Currencies, Commodities, Stocks, Indices, Cryptos
Demo Account Yes Yes Yes Yes
Minimum Deposit $250 $1 $250 $50
Minimum Trade $1 0.01 Lots $0.01 $1
Regulators CFTC SVGFSA MISA
Bonus 100% Deposit Bonus 20% to 200% Deposit Bonus 50% Deposit Bonus
Education Yes No No No
Platforms Own MT4, MT5 TradingView Web, MT4, MT5
Leverage 1:1000 1:500
Payment Methods 6 10 8 14
Visit Visit Visit Visit Visit
Review World Forex
Review
Videforex
Review
Pocket Option
Review

Compare Trading Instruments

Compare the markets and instruments offered by Nadex and its competitors. Please note, some markets may only be available via CFDs or other derivatives.

Compare Nadex Trading Instruments
Nadex World Forex Videforex Pocket Option
Binary Options Yes Yes Yes Yes
Expiry Times 5 seconds – 1 week 1 minute – 7 days 5 seconds – 1 month 5 seconds – 4 hours
Ladder Options No No No No
Boundary Options Yes No No No
CFD No Yes Yes No
Forex Yes Yes Yes Yes
Stocks Yes Yes Yes Yes
Commodities Yes Yes Yes Yes
Oil Yes Yes Yes Yes
Gold Yes Yes Yes Yes
Copper No No Yes No
Silver Yes Yes No Yes
Corn No No No No
Crypto Yes Yes Yes Yes
Futures Yes No Yes No
Options Yes No No No
ETFs No No No No
Bonds No No No No
Warrants No No No No
Spreadbetting No No No No
Volatility Index No No No No

Nadex vs Other Brokers

Compare Nadex with any other broker by selecting the other broker below.

 

The most popular Nadex comparisons:

  1. Nadex vs Pocket Option

Customer Reviews

There are no customer reviews of Nadex yet, will you be the first to help fellow traders decide if they should trade with Nadex or not?

Submit Your Own Review of Nadex

If you have experience trading with Nadex please share your personal review of the broker and what you think are strong and weak points. Thank you.