Once seen as less sophisticated than institutional trading, the retail sector is now thriving, with traders building complex algorithms, utilizing AI-driven tools, and benefiting from market innovation, according to Martin Franchi, CEO of NinjaTrader.
Retail traders today are more sophisticated than ever, utilizing powerful technology to develop intricate trading strategies, said Franchi, speaking on the sidelines of FIA Boca in Florida.
“Our customers have always been very sophisticated. For some reason, retail had a bit of a bad name, but our customers are building incredibly complicated strategies and algorithms,” he said.
“You can create algorithms, you can create charts, you can create indicators. And what we’ve seen is people have built incredibly complicated things,” he said.
According to Franchi, regulation has played a crucial role in shaping the retail futures market, which was historically underrepresented. “Today, you see a high degree of retail participation,” he noted. “Exchanges, regulators, and brokerages are now aligned in supporting retail in a way they never have before.”
This growing support is evident in how major exchanges, like CME Group, highlight retail as one of their fastest-growing segments. As regulators continue refining policies, retail traders are gaining safer and more structured access to markets that were once dominated by institutional players.
Product innovation is a driving force in the growth of retail trading, Franchi said.
“The microization of contracts at CME has gained traction since 2019,” they explained. “Now, we see event contracts and even startup exchanges challenging the status quo.”
Additionally, as regulatory clarity around cryptocurrencies improves, wider adoption of crypto futures is expected. “Right now, a lot of cryptocurrency trading happens overseas. As the U.S. regulatory framework stabilizes, we’ll likely see broader crypto futures adoption.”
Franchi added that artificial intelligence is revolutionizing trading, not just in execution but also in customer service.
He shared that NinjaTrader has integrated AI to streamline customer support, answering over 60% of inquiries through automation: ”I was originally nervous about using AI for customer service. As traders have become more self-sufficient and the age has continued to skew younger, they actually prefer engaging with AI over calling support.”
“We intend to deliver more AI based trading within our platforms, so you’ll be able to use common language to create trading strategies without even needing to know how to code,” he added.
Franchi also said that NinjaTrader is developing AI-powered trading tools that will allow users to create trading strategies using natural language rather than coding.
“In a couple of years, 100% of our customers will be able to develop strategies just by using common language,” they revealed. This advancement could lower the barrier to algorithmic trading, making sophisticated trading tools accessible to a wider audience.
According to Franchi, education remains at the core of their offering.
With over 1.9 million traders on its platform, NinjaTrader has spent more than 20 years pioneering futures trading education, equipping retail traders with the tools and knowledge to thrive in this fast-evolving market.
On Monday, March 17, the company launched a revamped livestream, NinjaTrader Live, led by veteran futures trader Anthony Crudele, to help retail traders find their daily trading edge while building strong fundamentals for successful trading strategies.
“With new traders joining the market daily, accessible and impactful education has never been more important,” said Crudele.
“As the market thrives, this livestream serves as a reliable source for traders to stay ahead of real-time developments, gain essential knowledge, and access insights from top professionals—all in one place. Our goal is simple: empower traders with the tools and education they need for long-term success,” he added.
In addition to Crudele, Tracy Shuchart, Senior Economist of NinjaTrader Live, will deliver daily insights on key macroeconomic events, analyzing their significance and how they act as a driving force in the financial markets.
In the coming months, NinjaTrader will continue to lead the conversation on futures trading education and introduce additional industry leaders to further expand the platform’s programming and enhance its impact on the futures trading community.
