Wealthsimple adds futures & options for active traders
Mon, 4th May 2026
Wealthsimple has expanded its trading lineup with futures trading, broader options access and a new web-based interface, targeting self-directed investors in Canada who want more advanced tools on a single platform.
The Toronto-based firm is also tying trader benefits to monthly activity rather than account size. Clients who make 50 or more trades a month will receive priority support, access to a dedicated trade desk, early beta access and a 3% transfer match.
The additions come as online brokerages compete for more active retail investors in Canada, where demand for advanced trading features appears to be rising. Wealthsimple cited Angus Reid survey findings showing that 38% of Canadian do-it-yourself investors now trade periodically or frequently, defined as making between 10 and 150 trades per quarter.
The same survey of 1,000 Canadian DIY investors found that 21% had used options trading over the past year. It also pointed to a gap between investor interest and the tools available from domestic providers, with 27% saying Canadian trading platforms lag international alternatives.
Among active traders, 60% said they manage all of their investments independently through an online brokerage or trading platform. They also rely heavily on their own research, turning to financial news outlets, brokerage data, podcasts, YouTube channels and artificial intelligence tools.
New products
Futures trading is currently in beta and is due for a broader rollout in the summer. Clients will be able to trade futures linked to indices, commodities and crypto for USD $1 all-in pricing, with no market data fees.
Wealthsimple has secured approval from the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organisation to operate as a futures commission merchant. It said familiarity with futures is relatively high among Canadian investors, but actual use remains limited.
According to the survey, 43% of Canadians had looked into futures trading, while only 9% of DIY investors had ever used it. One in 10 cited a lack of accessible Canadian platforms as a reason.
Wealthsimple also outlined changes to its options offering, saying it now provides access to all options levels from 1 to 4, including naked puts and calls, along with a profit-and-loss visualisation graph and U.S.-listed options on Canadian companies.
It added that it is the first Canadian platform to eliminate commission and contract fees for options trading. Options activity is already more established than futures among retail investors, with 44% of active traders reporting they had traded options in the past 12 months.
Trading interface
Wealthsimple is also introducing Trade Plus, a web-based interface aimed at more active users. It includes real-time charting with intervals down to one minute, on-chart order execution, technical indicators and combined position management for stocks and options.
The launch reflects broader changes in how retail investors approach markets. Nearly half (45%) of Canadian DIY investors surveyed said traditional banks and brokerages need to improve their product offerings, education, and support.
That view was stronger among active and occasional traders. Among active traders, 60% said established providers were not keeping up, while 20% were concerned about missing investment opportunities due to limited access.
Wealthsimple said its trading business has grown quickly since entering the market in 2019. Citing data from Investor Economics and Institutional Shareholder Services Canada, it said it recorded the fastest growth in assets and trading volumes among Canadian online brokerages in 2025.
The group also said it has saved clients more than AUD $4 billion in fees since launching trading. Wealthsimple now serves more than 3 million Canadians and has over CAD $100 billion in assets under administration.
Matthew Karasz, Senior Director of Product, Investing, at Wealthsimple, said the company sees clear evidence that retail investors want broader access to sophisticated instruments. "Canadian investors have evolved and want more advanced trading tools. With 43 per cent of traders in Canada having looked into futures, and 9 per cent actually trading them, it's a clear signal of demand," he said.
"With futures, full options access, trade-from-chart, and premium support, we've built the tools advanced traders need without sacrificing the speed, simplicity, and transparency that brought people to Wealthsimple in the first place," Karasz added.