Lucid Trading Approved Products Explained: What You Can Trade & Why

Lucid Trading approves 36 futures contracts spanning equity indices, foreign exchange, energy, metals, and agriculture. The list balances liquidity requirements, risk management standards, and trader accessibility through both full-size and micro contracts.

Understanding which products you can trade—and why certain contracts make the list—matters for strategy selection, commission costs, and position sizing. Many traders discover their preferred instrument isn't approved only after purchasing an evaluation, forcing strategy adjustments or evaluation refunds.

This guide breaks down every approved product, commission structure by asset class, strategic implications for different trading styles, and how Lucid's product availability compares to competitors. We'll also explain why certain popular futures contracts—like Treasury bonds, Bitcoin futures, and VIX—remain excluded despite high liquidity elsewhere in the market.

Learned the hard way: I've breached Lucid accounts, passed Lucid accounts, and spent 18+ months figuring out which rules trip traders versus which ones are manageable. This reflects trial-and-error experience—including my mistakes.

The single most important rule at Lucid is the EOD trailing drawdown—it's fundamentally different from intraday drawdown most firms use, and that difference changes how you size positions and manage risk during volatile sessions. I broke it down in my complete max drawdown guide, including real scenarios and exactly how to calculate safe position size. For the absolute latest, check Lucid Trading's website or their help center.

Lucid Trading Approved Products: Complete List

Equity Index Futures (9 Contracts)

E-mini Contracts ($1.75 commission):ES (S&P 500), NQ (Nasdaq-100), RTY (Russell 2000), YM (Dow) - CME/CBOT

Micro Contracts ($0.50 commission):MES, MNQ, M2K, MYM - 1/10th value of E-minis for smaller position sizing

International:NKD (Nikkei/USD) - $1.75 commission, CME

ES and NQ dominate volume—most liquid futures globally with tight spreads and deep orderbooks. ES trades over 3 million contracts daily, providing consistent execution without slippage concerns. NQ's tech-heavy exposure attracts momentum traders capitalizing on NASDAQ volatility.

Micros allow smaller accounts to trade identical markets with proportional risk. Instead of $50 per point on ES, MES trades at $5 per point—enabling $25K accounts to manage position sizing effectively without over-leveraging. The $0.50 commission makes micros viable even for active scalpers targeting $20-$50 per trade.

RTY (Russell 2000) and YM (Dow) provide diversification. RTY captures small-cap volatility distinct from large-cap indices. YM's price-weighted structure creates different technical patterns than market-cap-weighted ES/NQ.

NKD provides Japanese equity exposure during Asian session hours (6PM-5AM ET), allowing traders in Asian time zones or those trading overnight to access liquid markets when US indices are closed.

Foreign Exchange Futures (7 Contracts)

All forex futures: $2.40 commission per side (CME)

6A (Australian Dollar), 6B (British Pound), 6C (Canadian Dollar), 6E (Euro FX), 6J (Japanese Yen), 6S (Swiss Franc), 6N (New Zealand Dollar)

Seven major currency futures against USD. Standardized contract sizes (e.g., 6E = €125,000) with ~$12.50 per tick. Higher commission than equity indices reflects exchange fee structure.

Notable absence: No micro forex contracts despite CME availability. Lucid restricts to full-size only, raising minimum capital requirements for FX strategies.

Energy Futures (5 Contracts)

Crude Oil: CL ($2.00), MCL micro ($0.50), QM E-mini ($2.00) - NYMEXNatural Gas: NG ($2.00), QG E-mini ($1.30) - NYMEX

CL is highly volatile at $1,000/point. MCL and QM provide scaling options. Natural gas trades with extreme volatility during weather events and storage reports. QG's lower commission ($1.30 vs $2.00) favors active scalpers.

Metals Futures (5 Contracts)

Precious: GC Gold ($2.30), MGC Micro Gold ($0.80), SI Silver ($2.30), PL Platinum ($2.30) - COMEXIndustrial: HG Copper ($2.30) - COMEX

Gold (100 oz, $100/point) and Silver (5,000 oz, $50/point) are most liquid. MGC provides fractional gold exposure at lower margin. Copper trades as economic indicator. Palladium excluded despite being platinum group metal—likely due to extreme volatility and lower liquidity.

Agriculture Futures (10 Contracts)

All agriculture: $2.80 commission per side - highest rate

Grains: ZS (Soybeans), ZC (Corn), ZW (Wheat), ZL (Soybean Oil), ZM (Soybean Meal) - CBOTLivestock: LE (Live Cattle), HE (Lean Hogs) - CME

Grain complex tied to food supply, biofuel demand, weather patterns. Experience seasonal volatility around planting/harvest and USDA reports. Livestock influenced by feed costs, disease outbreaks, consumer demand.

Soybean crush spread (ZS vs ZL/ZM) fully supported by approved products. Higher commissions ($5.60 round-trip) require larger profit targets for positive expectancy.

Commission Structure & Cost Impact

Commissions range $0.50 to $2.80 per side (double for round-trip):

• Micros: $0.50 (MES, MNQ, M2K, MYM, MCL), $0.80 (MGC)
• E-mini indices: $1.75 (ES, NQ, RTY, YM, NKD)
• Energy: $1.30-$2.00 (QG at $1.30, CL/QM/NG at $2.00)
• Metals: $2.30 (GC, SI, PL, HG)
• Forex: $2.40 (all seven currencies)
• Agriculture: $2.80 (all grains and livestock)

Real cost examples:

• MES round-trip: $1.00 (entry $0.50 + exit $0.50)
• ES round-trip: $3.50 (entry $1.75 + exit $1.75)
• 6E forex round-trip: $4.80 (entry $2.40 + exit $2.40)
• ZS agriculture round-trip: $5.60 (entry $2.80 + exit $2.80)

Impact on profitability:

Take a scalping strategy averaging $50 profit per trade across 100 trades:

On MES ($1.00 commission): Gross $5,000 - $100 commission = $4,900 net (98% retention)On ES ($3.50 commission): Gross $5,000 - $350 commission = $4,650 net (93% retention)On ZS ($5.60 commission): Gross $5,000 - $560 commission = $4,440 net (88.8% retention)

The commission difference between MES and ZS represents $460 over 100 trades—nearly 10% of gross profits. For high-frequency strategies taking 20+ trades daily, commission structure becomes a primary factor in net profitability.

Break-even win rates:

Assuming equal profit/loss per trade, commission changes the required win rate for breakeven:

$50 target, $50 stop, MES $1.00 commission: Need 51% win rate (commission adds 1% to standard 50% breakeven)$50 target, $50 stop, ES $3.50 commission: Need 53.5% win rate$50 target, $50 stop, ZS $5.60 commission: Need 55.6% win rate

Higher commissions require proportionally higher win rates or larger profit targets to maintain positive expectancy.

Why These Products Are Approved

Lucid's approval criteria:

1. Liquidity: Sufficient daily volume/open interest for retail entry/exit without excessive slippage
2. Standardization: All trade on major regulated exchanges (CME, CBOT, NYMEX, COMEX)
3. Risk management: Predictable margin requirements and volatility profiles
4. Data integration: Reliable real-time feeds through supported platforms

Notable exclusions:

• Treasury futures (ZN, ZB, ZF, ZT): Complex correlation with equities, interest rate sensitivity
• Bitcoin futures (BTC, MBT): Extreme volatility, weekend trading, regulatory uncertainty
• VIX futures: Unique contango/backwardation dynamics, risk management challenges
• Micro forex: Despite availability, only full-size approved
• Soft commodities: No cotton, cocoa, coffee, sugar—lower liquidity, higher volatility

Lucid approves products where typical retail strategies have proven effective. Niche instruments get excluded to maintain consistent risk parameters.

Evaluation vs Funded: No Product Restrictions

All 36 products available in both evaluation and funded phases. No restrictions change between challenge and live account—trade your actual strategy without adapting.

Position limits apply based on account size (e.g., $50K might cap at 10 ES or 100 MES), scaling with account size for drawdown protection.

Versus Competitors

• Alpha Futures: Similar list, fewer agricultural products, $1.50-$2.50 commissions
• TopStep: Comparable breadth, includes Treasury futures Lucid excludes
• Take Profit Trader: Focuses heavily on equity indices, limited other asset classes
• Apex Trader Funding: Similar breadth plus international futures (DAX, FTSE), includes crypto

Lucid sits in "comprehensive approval" tier—not most expansive (Apex) but broader than index-focused firms (TPT).

Strategic Product Selection

New traders: Start with ES/NQ and micros (MES/MNQ). Highest liquidity, tightest spreads, most resources, lowest commission impact.

Scalpers: Favor micros ($0.50-$0.80 commissions) to minimize cost drag on small targets. Avoid agriculture at $2.80 unless targets justify it.

Swing traders: Full-size contracts (ES, NQ, CL, GC) work better. Overnight holds already incur exchange fees; slightly higher commissions matter less on multi-hundred-dollar targets.

Fundamental traders: Energy (CL, NG) and agriculture (ZS, ZC) offer exposure to inventory reports, weather, supply disruptions. Require product-specific fundamental knowledge.

Correlation traders: Approved list supports spreads: calendar spreads, inter-commodity (ZS/ZL/ZM), cross-market pairs (ES/NQ). Ensure both legs use approved contracts.

Commission optimization: Calculate breakeven. $50 target on MES with $1.00 commission needs 52% win rate. Same $50 on ZS with $5.60 commission needs 61% win rate. Commission structure affects required edge.

Platform Considerations

All 36 contracts available on all supported platforms (Rithmic, CQG, others). Product availability is consistent.

Data feed costs: Platforms may charge separately for exchange data. CME data for ES/NQ, CME FX for currencies, COMEX for metals. Calculate total data costs when selecting products.

Order types: Advanced orders (OCO, brackets, trailing stops) vary by platform. Match product choice to platform capabilities.

Bottom Line

Lucid Trading's 36 approved products provide comprehensive futures market access across five asset classes. The list balances liquidity, standardization, and risk management while supporting diverse strategies from scalping to fundamental analysis.

Equity indices (ES, NQ, RTY, YM + micros) offer highest liquidity and lowest commission impact—ideal for most retail traders. Energy (CL, NG) suits fundamental and volatility strategies. Metals (GC, SI) provide safe-haven exposure. Forex (6E, 6B, etc.) enables currency strategies without spot forex complications. Agriculture (ZS, ZC, grains, livestock) offers seasonal opportunities.

Commission structure ($0.50 to $2.80 per side) directly impacts profitability. Scalpers benefit from micros. Swing traders absorb higher commissions for better per-trade potential.

Notable exclusions—Treasuries, Bitcoin, VIX, soft commodities—reflect Lucid's focus on liquid, standardized contracts with predictable risk profiles.

Before evaluation, calculate commission costs versus profit targets, ensure liquidity during your trading session, verify strategy works within contract limits.

The right product choice isn't "what can I trade" but "what should I trade given my strategy, timeframe, and commission sensitivity." Start with highest-liquidity products (ES, NQ, MES, MNQ), prove profitability, then expand to specialized products as your account scales.

Frequently asked questions about Lucid Trading approved products

How many futures contracts does Lucid Trading allow?

Lucid Trading permits 36 CME-approved futures contracts across equity indices, energy, metals, forex, and agricultural markets. This is a curated list rather than full CME access — several common contracts including Bitcoin futures, VIX futures, and Treasury futures are explicitly excluded. The full approved list is available in the Lucid Trading knowledge base.

Can I trade the ES and NQ on Lucid Trading?

Yes. ES (S&P 500 futures) and NQ (Nasdaq-100 futures) are both on Lucid's approved product list, along with their micro equivalents MES and MNQ. These are among the most actively traded contracts at Lucid. Micro contracts are popular on smaller accounts for finer position sizing relative to the drawdown limits.

What energy futures can I trade at Lucid Trading?

Lucid Trading approves Crude Oil (CL), Micro Crude Oil (MCL), and Natural Gas (NG) for trading. CL is one of the most volatile contracts on the list — commission costs and spread should factor into your per-trade risk calculation given the drawdown constraints. MCL is a 1/10th size alternative for traders who want crude oil exposure at lower capital requirement.

Are micro futures available on Lucid Trading?

Yes. Lucid Trading supports a full range of micro futures including MES (Micro E-mini S&P), MNQ (Micro E-mini Nasdaq), MYM (Micro Dow), M2K (Micro Russell), MCL (Micro Crude Oil), MGC (Micro Gold), and several others. Micro contracts are ideal for scaling into positions, managing risk on smaller accounts, and learning execution patterns without full-size contract exposure.

Can I trade gold and silver futures at Lucid Trading?

Yes. Gold (GC) and Silver (SI) are both on the approved product list. GC is one of the highest-margin contracts available and requires careful position sizing relative to drawdown limits. MGC (Micro Gold) is also available as a lower-margin alternative. No platinum or palladium contracts are on the approved list.

Can I trade forex futures on Lucid Trading?

Yes. Lucid Trading approves several CME forex futures including Euro (6E), Japanese Yen (6J), British Pound (6B), Australian Dollar (6A), Canadian Dollar (6C), Swiss Franc (6S), and New Zealand Dollar (6N). These are exchange-traded currency futures — not spot forex or CFDs. Execution routes through Tradovate or Rithmic just like any other CME contract.

Can I trade Bitcoin futures at Lucid Trading?

No. Bitcoin futures (BTC and MBT) are explicitly excluded from Lucid Trading's approved product list. Micro Bitcoin futures are also not permitted. If you trade crypto futures, you'll need a separate prop firm or personal account. WarBux and similar CFD-based prop firms are an alternative for crypto exposure within a funded account structure.

Can I trade VIX futures at Lucid Trading?

No. VIX futures are not on Lucid Trading's approved product list. This is a common exclusion among futures prop firms due to the unique behavior of VIX contracts, including contango decay and the inability to hold through expiry the way equity futures roll. Volatility exposure is available indirectly through ES and NQ if that's your intent.

Can I trade Treasury futures at Lucid Trading?

No. Treasury futures — including ZN (10-Year Note), ZB (30-Year Bond), ZF (5-Year Note), and ZT (2-Year Note) — are not on Lucid Trading's approved product list. This is one of the more notable exclusions. Fixed-income futures traders will need to find a different prop firm if Treasury trading is core to their strategy.

What agricultural futures can I trade at Lucid Trading?

Lucid Trading approves Soybeans (ZS) and Corn (ZC) from the agricultural sector. Wheat, cattle, hogs, and other ag contracts are not on the approved list. ZS and ZC are among the most liquid CME agricultural markets and suit traders with commodity-focused strategies, though volatility and seasonality create unique risk considerations compared to equity index futures.

What are the commission rates on Lucid Trading?

Commission rates vary by contract: equity index futures like ES and NQ range from $0.50–$1.00 per side, energy contracts like CL run approximately $2.00–$3.00 per side, and metals contracts like GC run $3.00–$5.60 per side. Micro contracts generally carry lower absolute commissions than full-size contracts. Always factor commissions into your per-trade P&L calculation — on a high-frequency strategy, they compound fast.

Does Lucid Trading allow trading all 36 approved contracts on the same account simultaneously?

Yes. There is no restriction on which approved contracts you trade in a single session or whether you hold positions across multiple approved instruments simultaneously. Standard risk rules apply — Max Loss Limit, position limits per contract, and session close requirements. The approved list defines which products are eligible, not how many you can run at once.

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