Retail participation in FX options has undoubtedly lagged that of spot. However, many remain optimistic that the sector offers rich potential, including Saxo Bank. It has just added a product called FX Options Board to its Saxo Trader platform. The intention is to offer standardised dates and strike increments, which the bank believes will encourage liquidity and therefore tighter pricing.
“Saxo Bank is committed to providing innovative products and delivering excellence in FX Options trading,” says Edward Voorhees, the bank’s global head of derivatives. “The FX Options Board will revolutionise options trading for our clients and partners – smaller institutions and individual investors will be equipped with real-time trading information and prices provided on a cutting-edge platform. Such platforms were previously the privilege of clients of tier-one banks. We feel the FX Options Board will make trading options more attractive both to FX spot traders looking to diversify and better control risk, and to options traders in other asset classes looking for exposure to the FX market.”