NinjaTrader's New Deposit Bonus: Up to $250 for Futures Traders

If you've been thinking about trying futures trading, NinjaTrader has a sweet deal right now. They're handing out bonuses ranging from $50 to $250 just for making a qualifying first deposit. It's not a huge windfall, but it's free money to help cover commissions or pad your trading account. Let's break down what you need to know before you jump in.

How the Bonus Works

The offer is straightforward: open a new NinjaTrader account, make a qualifying deposit, and you'll get a cash bonus credited to your account. The more you deposit, the bigger the bonus. Here's the breakdown: deposit $250-$499 and get $50, $500-$999 gets you $100, $1,000-$2,499 earns $150, and $2,500 or more scores you $250.

Just remember, this is for new accounts only. If you already have a NinjaTrader account, you're out of luck. Also, the bonus is credited after you make the deposit — it's not instant, so don't expect to see it right away.

The Fine Print You Need to Know

There are a few things that might trip you up if you're not careful. First, the bonus is actually a credit, not withdrawable cash. It can be used to cover trading fees or commissions, but you can't just pull it out. That's a change from previous promotions where the bonus was cash you could withdraw after meeting certain conditions.

Second, the hold period is now 180 days. That means you need to keep your account active for six months. If you don't trade at least once every 30 days, you'll get hit with a $35 inactivity fee. So if you're planning to just park the money and forget it, this might not be the best deal for you.

Also, be aware of the market data fees. During sign-up, you'll be offered various data subscriptions. You can opt out, but if you don't, and your account balance drops to $0, they'll charge you $12. So make sure you either keep a small balance or cancel the subscription if you're not using it.

Is It Worth It?

If you're already planning to trade futures with NinjaTrader, this is a no-brainer. You're getting free money for something you'd do anyway. Even if you're new to futures, the bonus can help offset the costs of getting started, especially with their low commissions ($0.09 per micro contract) and low intraday margins ($50 on select contracts).

But if you're just chasing the bonus and have no interest in trading, it's probably not worth it. The 180-day hold and inactivity fee could eat into your bonus if you don't stay active. Plus, the credit is only good for fees, so you can't just withdraw it and walk away.

Overall, it's a solid offer for active traders. Just make sure you understand the requirements before you commit.

Bottom Line

• Deposit at least $250 to get a $50 bonus, up to $250 for $2,500+.
• The bonus is a credit for trading fees, not withdrawable cash.
• You must trade at least once every 30 days to avoid a $35 inactivity fee.
• The hold period is 180 days, so plan to keep the account active.
• Opt out of market data subscriptions unless you need them to avoid fees.

Common Questions