NinjaTrader buys US futures broker Tradovate
FX platform provider, NinjaTrader has acquired Tradovate Holdings, an NFA registered introducing broker providing brokerage services to traders of futures exchange products.
In a statement, the US-based software provider highlighted the apparent benefits their combined client base will get following the takeover, describing it as the next logical step for its platform. NinjaTrader said the transaction creates one of “the most formidable” retail futures brokers with combined trading volume in 2021 of approximately 100 million futures contracts.
Operating out of Ohio, Tradovate launched its operations five years ago as an online futures brokerage firm dedicated to meeting the needs of retail traders. The firm offers a cloud-based futures trading platform and subscription-based, commission-free trading.
Part of the deal, Tradovate founder and CEO Rick Tomsic will join NinjaTrader’s executive team as its chief strategy officer. He will also serve on NinjaTrader’s board of directors. Prior to founding Tradovate in 2016, Rick founded Open E Cry, LLC (OEC) in 2001 and has served in various executive roles at optionsXpress, Charles Schwab, and GAIN Capital.
The move marks a fresh expansion for NinjaTrader into the futures trading business. In January 2021, the company acquired the US registered FCM, TransAct Futures and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Infinity Futures.
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois Infinity Futures is an independent introducing brokerage that was originally founded in 1996. The company has been providing customers from around the world with access to derivatives markets for over 10 years.
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NinjaTrader operates as an introducing broker
Martin Franchi, CEO of NinjaTrader Group, LLC, commented, “NinjaTrader’s and Tradovate’s shared vision to transform retail futures is at the heart of this transaction and will accelerate our goal to make futures more accessible, mainstream and modern. The combination of the largest and fastest-growing market leaders and our commitment to continued investment in the businesses will unlock innovation and scale, which will ensure we rise to meet the growing demand of the trading community for innovative products and services.”
Rick Tomsic added: “This acquisition is the culmination of that effort but only the beginning of the story as we leverage our combined technology, vision and talented teams to take new and experienced traders to the next level of client experience. I believe that the futures industry has barely scratched the surface in individual investor participation. We aim to be the number one retail futures brokerage in the world, not just by client numbers but by pushing the boundaries and leading through innovation with technology and exciting new ideas.”
Launched in 2003, NinjaTrader provides a complete end-to-end platform serving manual and automated traders of futures, equities and forex markets. The platform offers dynamic analytic tools both natively and through its vast third-party partner ecosystem.
NinjaTrader officially operates as an introducing broker for several brokers and claims such acquisitions deliver savings to its clients through tight spreads and discount commissions. The platform is available at over 100 brokerages worldwide and is promoted through offering free charting, analytics, system development and trade simulation.
Additionally, users of NinjaTrader’s trading software have access to crypto brokerage service providers directly through a simple online registration process.
