AquaFutures Futures Instruments List: All Available Markets to Trade

Written by Paul

Published on

January 11, 2026

AquaFutures allows trading across major futures markets: equity indexes (ES, NQ, YM, RTY), energies (CL, NG), metals (GC, SI), grains (ZC, ZS, ZW), treasuries, and more. You can trade any liquid futures contract that's available on standard professional platforms.

Quick heads-up: This article is based on my real experience with Aquafutures and the info available when I published/updated this. Things change in prop trading — rules, payouts, promos, all of it.

For the absolute latest, check Aquafutures´s website or their faq page.

The exact instrument list isn't published publicly on AquaFutures' website, but based on trader reports and standard prop firm offerings, you have access to 30+ actively traded futures contracts across multiple asset classes.

I'm breaking down the major instrument categories available, contract specifications for the most popular markets, what's typically restricted, and which instruments make the most sense for prop trading.

Equity Index Futures (Most Popular)

These are the most commonly traded instruments on AquaFutures accounts. High liquidity, tight spreads, and well-defined technical patterns make them ideal for prop trading.

E-mini S&P 500 (ES)

Tick size: 0.25 points = $12.50 per contract
Point value: $50 per point per contract
Trading hours: Nearly 24 hours (Sunday 6pm - Friday 5pm ET)
Average daily range: 30-60 points ($1,500-$3,000 per contract)

ES is the most popular contract for prop traders. It's liquid, it moves predictably around news events, and the $50/point value makes position sizing straightforward. On a Beginner account with 6 contracts, you're at $300/point.

E-mini Nasdaq-100 (NQ)

Tick size: 0.25 points = $5 per contract
Point value: $20 per point per contract
Trading hours: Nearly 24 hours
Average daily range: 100-200 points ($2,000-$4,000 per contract)

NQ moves faster than ES—bigger swings, more volatility. It's popular with scalpers and day traders who want action. With 6 NQ contracts, you're at $120/point, so a 25-point move is $3,000.

E-mini Dow (YM)

Tick size: 1 point = $5 per contract
Point value: $5 per point per contract
Trading hours: Nearly 24 hours
Average daily range: 200-400 points ($1,000-$2,000 per contract)

YM is slower and less popular than ES/NQ. It's good for traders who want lower dollar-per-point exposure. With 6 YM contracts, you're at $30/point.

E-mini Russell 2000 (RTY)

Tick size: 0.10 points = $1 per contract
Point value: $10 per point per contract
Trading hours: Nearly 24 hours
Average daily range: 20-40 points ($200-$400 per contract)

RTY is the smallest index future. It's less liquid than ES/NQ and has wider spreads, but it's available for traders who want exposure to small-cap stocks.

For contract limit details across account types, see the contract limits guide.

Energy Futures

Energy contracts are volatile and require larger stops than equity indexes. They're available on AquaFutures but less commonly traded by prop traders due to overnight gap risk and news sensitivity.

Crude Oil (CL)

Tick size: 0.01 = $10 per contract
Point value: $1,000 per point per contract ($10 per tick)
Trading hours: Nearly 24 hours
Average daily range: $2-$5 per barrel ($2,000-$5,000 per contract)

CL is extremely volatile. A 1-point move ($1/barrel) = $1,000 per contract. With 3 CL contracts, a 2-point adverse move is -$6,000. Most prop traders avoid CL or trade it with 1-2 contracts max.

Natural Gas (NG)

Tick size: 0.001 = $10 per contract
Point value: $10,000 per point per contract
Trading hours: Nearly 24 hours
Average daily range: $0.20-$0.50 ($2,000-$5,000 per contract)

NG is even more volatile than CL. It gaps frequently on weather reports and inventory data. Not recommended for prop trading unless you're experienced with energy markets.

Metals Futures

Metals are slower-moving than energy but still require careful position sizing. Gold and silver are the most liquid metal futures.

Gold (GC)

Tick size: 0.10 = $10 per contract
Point value: $100 per point per contract
Trading hours: Nearly 24 hours
Average daily range: $20-$50 per ounce ($2,000-$5,000 per contract)

Gold is popular with traders who want less volatility than ES/NQ but more movement than treasuries. A 10-point move = $1,000 per contract. With 3 GC contracts, you're at $300/point.

Silver (SI)

Tick size: 0.005 = $25 per contract
Point value: $5,000 per point per contract
Trading hours: Nearly 24 hours
Average daily range: $0.30-$0.80 ($1,500-$4,000 per contract)

Silver is more volatile than gold and has wider spreads. A 0.10-point move (10 cents) = $500 per contract. Most prop traders stick with gold if they're trading metals.

Copper (HG)

Available but less commonly traded by prop traders
Higher volatility and wider spreads than gold/silver

Agricultural Futures (Grains)

Grain futures are available on AquaFutures but less popular with prop traders. They have seasonal patterns, lower liquidity, and wider spreads than equity indexes.

Corn (ZC)

Tick size: 0.25 cents = $12.50 per contract
Point value: $50 per point per contract
Trading hours: Limited (open outcry + electronic)
Average daily range: 10-20 cents ($500-$1,000 per contract)

Soybeans (ZS)

Tick size: 0.25 cents = $12.50 per contract
Point value: $50 per point per contract
Trading hours: Limited
Average daily range: 20-40 cents ($1,000-$2,000 per contract)

Wheat (ZW)

Similar specs to corn/soybeans
Less liquid, wider spreads

Grains are typically traded during specific hours (not 24-hour markets), which limits flexibility for prop traders who prefer round-the-clock access.

Treasury Futures

Treasury futures (bonds, notes) are available but rarely traded by prop traders. They're slow-moving, have low volatility, and require large position sizes to make meaningful profits.

10-Year Treasury Note (ZN)30-Year Treasury Bond (ZB)5-Year Treasury Note (ZF)

These are available on AquaFutures but not recommended unless you specialize in interest rate trading.

Currency Futures

Major currency futures (EUR/USD, GBP/USD, JPY/USD) are typically available on futures platforms, but they're less popular than spot forex for retail traders. Check with AquaFutures support to confirm specific currency pairs.

What's NOT Available (or Restricted)

AquaFutures is a futures-only prop firm. You cannot trade:

Stocks: No equity trading allowed
Options: Futures options may be restricted or unavailable
Forex (spot): Spot forex through MT4/MT5 is not supported—only currency futures
Cryptocurrencies: No crypto futures (Bitcoin, Ethereum) unless specifically offered

If you want to trade stocks or options, you need a different type of prop firm (not futures-focused).

Most Popular Instruments for Prop Trading

Based on trader reports and liquidity, these are the most commonly traded instruments on AquaFutures accounts:

Rank	Instrument	Why It's Popular	$/Point (1 Contract)
1	ES (S&P 500)	Most liquid, predictable, 24-hour trading	$50
2	NQ (Nasdaq-100)	High volatility, big moves, popular with scalpers	$20
3	YM (Dow)	Slower, good for smaller position sizing	$5
4	GC (Gold)	Lower volatility than indexes, diversification	$100
5	CL (Crude Oil)	High volatility, big profits (and losses)	$1,000

90%+ of prop traders stick with ES or NQ. They're liquid, they move consistently, and they're open nearly 24 hours. Unless you have a specific reason to trade CL or grains, start with equity indexes.

Which Instrument Should You Trade?

The best instrument for prop trading is the one you already trade profitably on your personal account.

Choose ES if:

You want the most liquid market
You prefer moderate volatility (not too fast, not too slow)
You trade 30-60 minute timeframes or longer
You want predictable price action around major news events

Choose NQ if:

You want faster moves and more volatility
You're a scalper or day trader (5-15 minute timeframes)
You can handle 100-200 point daily ranges
You're comfortable with overnight gaps (if holding positions)

Choose YM if:

You want lower dollar-per-point exposure
You're building consistency before scaling to ES/NQ
You prefer slower price action

Choose GC if:

You trade metals on your personal account
You want diversification away from equity indexes
You're familiar with gold's technical patterns and news drivers

Avoid CL/NG unless:

You specialize in energy markets
You have experience managing overnight inventory/weather risk
You're comfortable with $1,000+ per-point exposure

For most traders starting at AquaFutures, ES with 3-4 contracts is the best choice. It's liquid, predictable, and the $50/point value makes profit targets straightforward to calculate.

Contract Limits by Instrument

AquaFutures' contract limits apply to total contracts held, not per instrument.

If your limit is 6 contracts, you could hold:

6 ES (legal)
3 ES + 3 NQ (legal)
6 NQ + 1 GC (illegal—7 contracts total)

You can't hold more than your max contract limit across all instruments combined. Most traders stick to one instrument at a time to avoid confusion and overexposure.

How to Check Available Instruments

AquaFutures doesn't publish a complete instrument list on their website. To verify which contracts are available:

1. Contact Support Before Starting

Email AquaFutures support and ask: "What futures contracts are available to trade on [Beginner/Standard] accounts?" They'll provide a list or confirm that all standard CME/CBOT/COMEX futures are available.

2. Check Your Platform After Activation

Once your account activates, your trading platform will show all available instruments. If a contract isn't listed, it's not available for trading.

3. Ask in Trader Communities

Discord servers and Reddit communities discuss which instruments they're trading on AquaFutures accounts. Active traders will confirm what's available.

Can You Trade Multiple Instruments Simultaneously?

Yes, but it's not recommended—especially on evaluation accounts.

Trading multiple instruments simultaneously:

Increases complexity and mental load
Makes drawdown tracking harder (different volatilities, different tick sizes)
Splits your focus between uncorrelated markets
Increases the chance of violating contract limits

Most successful prop traders focus on one instrument until they're consistently profitable, then consider adding a second. Spreading yourself across ES, NQ, CL, and GC at the same time is how you breach from overexposure.

Instrument-Specific Risk Management

Different instruments require different position sizing and stop placement:

ES (S&P 500):

Typical stop: 10-15 points ($500-$750 per contract)
Position size: 3-4 contracts on $50K account
Daily range: 30-60 points

NQ (Nasdaq-100):

Typical stop: 20-30 points ($400-$600 per contract)
Position size: 2-3 contracts on $50K account
Daily range: 100-200 points

CL (Crude Oil):

Typical stop: 50-100 ticks ($500-$1,000 per contract)
Position size: 1-2 contracts max on $50K account
Daily range: $2-$5 per barrel

The more volatile the instrument, the smaller your position size should be. Trading 6 NQ contracts on a $50K account is aggressive—trading 6 CL contracts is reckless.

Final Thoughts: Stick With ES or NQ Unless You Have a Reason Not To

AquaFutures offers access to 30+ futures contracts, but 90% of successful prop traders stick with ES or NQ. They're liquid, predictable, and optimized for day trading and scalping.

If you're already profitable trading gold, crude oil, or grains on your personal account, you can trade those on AquaFutures too. But if you're new to futures or you're just starting prop trading, default to ES with 3-4 contracts. Master one instrument before expanding.

The instrument you trade matters less than your position sizing, risk management, and discipline. You can pass a Beginner evaluation trading ES, NQ, YM, or even GC—as long as you stay within your drawdown limits and follow the rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

What futures contracts can I trade on AquaFutures?

AquaFutures allows trading on major futures markets including equity indexes (ES, NQ, YM, RTY), energies (CL, NG), metals (GC, SI), grains (ZC, ZS, ZW), and treasuries. Most traders focus on ES or NQ. Check with support for the complete list.

Can I trade stocks on AquaFutures?

No. AquaFutures is a futures-only prop firm. You cannot trade stocks, options, spot forex, or cryptocurrencies. Only futures contracts are allowed.

What's the most popular instrument to trade on AquaFutures?

ES (E-mini S&P 500) is the most popular, followed by NQ (Nasdaq-100). They're liquid, predictable, and open nearly 24 hours. 90%+ of prop traders focus on equity index futures.

Can I trade crude oil or natural gas on AquaFutures?

Yes, energy futures (CL, NG) are available. But they're more volatile than equity indexes and require smaller position sizes. Most prop traders avoid CL/NG or trade them with 1-2 contracts max.

Should I trade multiple instruments at once?

Not recommended—especially on evaluation accounts. Trading multiple instruments simultaneously increases complexity, splits your focus, and makes drawdown tracking harder. Focus on one instrument (usually ES or NQ) until you're consistently profitable.

How do I know which instrument is available before I start?

Contact AquaFutures support and ask for the complete instrument list. Once your account activates, your trading platform will show all available contracts. ES, NQ, YM, CL, and GC are confirmed available.

Can I trade Bitcoin or Ethereum futures on AquaFutures?

Cryptocurrency futures availability depends on AquaFutures' current offerings. Check with support before starting your evaluation. Most prop firms don't offer crypto futures due to extreme volatility and regulatory uncertainty.

What's the best instrument for beginners?

ES with 3-4 contracts on a $50K account. It's liquid, predictable, and the $50/point value makes profit targets straightforward. NQ is good if you want more volatility, but ES is the safest choice for building consistency.