Yes, WeBull offers futures trading, but you need a separate account and must meet specific requirements

WeBull lets you trade futures through a dedicated futures account, separate from your stock and options accounts. You do not automatically get futures access when you open a WeBull account — you have to request it, and WeBull will review your application based on your trading experience and net worth. Once approved, you can trade futures on indexes, commodities, and currencies during market hours.

Futures trading on WeBull works differently from stock trading. You are trading contracts that represent an agreement to buy or sell an asset at a set price on a future date. The contracts are standardized — you cannot customize the size or expiration date. WeBull charges commissions on futures trades, unlike its commission-free stock trading, and you must maintain a minimum account balance to keep the account open.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a separate WeBull futures account, not your regular stock account, and WeBull reviews your application before approval.
  • Futures contracts require a margin deposit called initial margin, which varies by contract type but is typically 10 to 20 percent of the contract value.
  • WeBull charges per-contract commissions on futures trades, ranging from about $1 to $3 per contract depending on the product.
  • Futures markets trade nearly 24 hours a day, five days a week, with different opening and closing times for different contract types.
  • You can lose more than your initial deposit if the market moves against your position, because futures use leverage.

What you need to open a WeBull futures account

WeBull requires you to submit an application for futures trading. The application asks about your investment experience, annual income, net worth, and investment objectives. WeBull uses this information to determine whether you meet their internal standards for futures trading. There is no published minimum net worth or income requirement, but WeBull typically approves applicants with demonstrated trading experience and sufficient capital.

You must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to open a futures account. You will need to provide your Social Security number, driver's license or passport, and proof of your current address. WeBull may ask for tax returns or bank statements to verify income and net worth, particularly if your application shows limited trading history.

Once you submit your application, WeBull typically responds within one to three business days. If approved, you can fund your futures account and begin trading. If denied, WeBull will tell you why, and you can reapply after addressing the stated concern — usually by gaining more trading experience or increasing your account balance.

How margin and minimum balances work for futures

Futures trading requires you to deposit initial margin — a percentage of the contract's total value — to open a position. This is not a down payment; it is a good-faith deposit that WeBull holds to cover potential losses. Initial margin requirements vary by contract. A single E-mini S&P 500 futures contract (ES), for example, typically requires about $12,000 to $15,000 in initial margin, though this changes based on market volatility and WeBull's policies.

If your account balance falls below the maintenance margin — a lower threshold than initial margin — WeBull will issue a margin call and require you to deposit more money within a set time, usually one business day. If you do not meet the margin call, WeBull will close your positions automatically to bring your account back into compliance. This can happen during market hours, and you may not be able to choose which positions close.

WeBull also enforces a minimum account balance for futures trading. The exact amount varies, but most futures brokers require $2,000 to $5,000 minimum. Check WeBull's current requirements when you apply, because they can change.

Commissions and fees on WeBull futures trades

WeBull charges a commission on every futures contract you buy or sell. The commission structure is typically $1 to $3 per contract round-trip — meaning one commission covers both the opening trade and the closing trade. A round-trip on an E-mini S&P 500 contract might cost $2.50, for example. Micro contracts, which are smaller versions of standard contracts, usually cost less per round-trip, around $0.50 to $1.00.

Beyond commissions, you may pay exchange fees and clearing fees, which are small charges imposed by the futures exchange and clearinghouse. These are usually less than $0.50 per contract and are included in WeBull's quoted commission or listed separately. WeBull does not charge account maintenance fees, inactivity fees, or data fees for basic market data.

If you hold a futures position past the contract's expiration date without closing it, WeBull will close it automatically a few days before expiration. This automatic close triggers a commission just like any other trade. To avoid this, you must close or roll your position before the expiration date.

Which futures contracts you can trade on WeBull

WeBull offers futures on major stock indexes, commodities, and currencies. Index futures include the E-mini S&P 500 (ES), E-mini Nasdaq-100 (NQ), and E-mini Dow Jones (YM). Commodity futures include crude oil (CL), natural gas (NG), gold (GC), and agricultural products like corn and soybeans. Currency futures include the euro (6E), British pound (6B), and Japanese yen (6J).

Each contract has a standardized size and tick size — the smallest price movement allowed. The E-mini S&P 500, for example, represents 50 times the index value, so a one-point move equals $50 in profit or loss. A one-tick move (0.25 points) equals $12.50. Knowing the contract specifications before you trade is essential, because a small price move can represent a large dollar gain or loss.

WeBull does not offer all futures contracts available in the market. If you want to trade a specific contract, check WeBull's futures product list before opening your account. You can also contact WeBull support to ask whether they plan to add a contract you are interested in.

Trading hours and market access for futures

Futures markets trade nearly 24 hours a day, five days a week, with brief closures for maintenance. The regular session for most index and commodity futures runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, matching stock market hours. The extended session, called the Globex session, runs from 5:00 p.m. Sunday through 4:00 p.m. Friday Eastern Time, with a one-hour break each day at 4:00 p.m.

WeBull allows you to trade during both regular and extended sessions. Extended-session trading gives you access to price movements that happen outside regular stock market hours, but liquidity is lower — meaning fewer buyers and sellers, wider bid-ask spreads, and larger price swings. Most retail traders focus on the regular session when volume and liquidity are highest.

Different contract types have slightly different trading hours. Currency futures, for example, trade nearly around the clock with minimal breaks. Check the specific contract's hours on WeBull's platform before placing a trade, especially if you are trading outside regular market hours.

Risks specific to futures trading on WeBull

Futures use leverage, which means you control a large contract value with a small margin deposit. This amplifies both gains and losses. A 2 percent move in the E-mini S&P 500 can represent a 20 to 30 percent gain or loss on your margin deposit. If the market moves against you sharply, you can lose your entire margin deposit and owe WeBull additional money — a scenario called a margin call deficit.

Futures prices can gap — jump suddenly between trades — especially during news events or market opens. If you hold a position overnight or over a weekend, you cannot close it until the market reopens, and the opening price may be far from where you expected. This gap risk is real and can wipe out your margin deposit before you have a chance to exit.

Futures contracts expire on set dates. If you hold a contract past expiration without closing or rolling it, WeBull closes it for you, usually at an unfavorable price. Missing an expiration date can cost you money in slippage and commissions. Set calendar reminders for contract expiration dates if you hold positions longer than a few days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need approval before I can trade futures on WeBull?

Yes. You must submit a separate application for futures trading, and WeBull reviews your experience and financial situation before approving you. Approval typically takes one to three business days. You cannot trade futures using your regular WeBull stock account.

What is the minimum amount of money I need to trade futures on WeBull?

WeBull requires a minimum account balance, typically $2,000 to $5,000, to open a futures account. Beyond that, each contract requires an initial margin deposit that varies by contract type — often $10,000 to $20,000 for standard contracts. Check WeBull's current requirements when you apply.

Can I trade futures during after-hours or on weekends?

Yes, most futures trade during the extended Globex session, which runs from 5:00 p.m. Sunday through 4:00 p.m. Friday Eastern Time. Liquidity is lower during extended hours, so bid-ask spreads are wider and prices can move more sharply. Regular session trading during stock market hours offers better liquidity.

What happens if I do not have enough margin to cover a loss?

WeBull will issue a margin call and require you to deposit more money, usually within one business day. If you do not meet the call, WeBull will close your positions automatically to bring your account into compliance. You may not be able to choose which positions close, and you may incur additional losses and commissions.

Can I hold a futures contract indefinitely, or do they expire?

All futures contracts expire on a set date. You must close or roll your position before expiration, or WeBull will close it for you a few days before the expiration date. This automatic close triggers a commission and may occur at an unfavorable price. Track expiration dates carefully if you hold positions.