NinjaTrader

NinjaTrader
Company type	Private
Industry	Financial technology
Founded	2003
Founder	Raymond Deux
Area served	Worldwide
Products	Futures trading software; clearing and brokerage services
Parent	Kraken (since May 2 2025)
Website	https://ninjatrader.com

Reviewed by Alfawiki editorsUpdated 8 August 202533 sources

NinjaTrader is a financial technology company headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The company specializes in futures trading software, along with clearing and brokerage services. Since its founding in 2003, it has evolved into a software platform that supports more than 2 million futures traders worldwide.^[3] Active futures traders use the NinjaTrader desktop, web, and mobile platforms to help them analyze, react to, and trade the global financial markets.^[4]

History

Founded in 2003 by Raymond Deux, NinjaTrader was the first modern futures trading platform in the fintech space.^[5] In 2004, the company launched the "freemium" software model for futures trading. In 2005, they introduced NinjaScript, an open trading development framework written in C#.^[6]^[7]

In 2014, as part of NinjaTrader’s acquisition of Mirus Futures, Martin (Marty) Franchi became CFO of NinjaTrader, transitioning to COO in 2017 and CEO in 2018. Following the Mirus Futures acquisition, NinjaTrader established its own clearing and brokerage service, enabling the firm to operate as a futures commission merchant (FCM).^[8]^[9]^[10]

In 2019, CME Group introduced Micro futures, which NinjaTrader added to its contract offerings. From 2020 – 2021, the company acquired TransAct Futures, Infinity Futures, and Tradovate.^[11]^[12]^[13]

NinjaTrader’s platform was named Best Trading Software from Technical Analysis of Stocks & Commodities (TASC) Readers’ Choice Award in 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021.^[14]^[15]^[16]^[17]

On May 2, 2025, Kraken, a U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange, acquired NinjaTrader for $1.5 billion.^[18]^[19]^[20]^[21]^[22]

Overview

NinjaTrader is a multiplatform futures trading software available on desktop, web, and mobile, supporting both live and simulated trading. It offers real-time market data, customizable charts and strategies, third-party add-ons, and educational resources.^[23]^[24]

NinjaTrader FCM: NinjaTrader provides retail traders with direct access to futures markets with transactions processed through clearing firms.^[25]^[26]

NinjaScript: Traders can customize the NinjaTrader platform through a C#-based framework called NinjaScript.^[27]^[28]

NinjaTrader Ecosystem: NinjaTrader operates the NinjaTrader Ecosystem, a developer community that supports third-party add-ons and extensions.^[29]

NinjaTrader Arena: In February 2025, NinjaTrader introduced the NinjaTrader Arena, a free futures trading competition that allows retail traders to compete against one another in a simulated trading environment for the chance to earn cash prizes.^[30]

NinjaTrader Live: In March 2025, NinjaTrader launched its revamped daily livestream on its YouTube channel and website. Led by veteran futures trader Anthony Crudele, NinjaTrader Live airs six days a week and features real-time market analysis and trading commentary.^[31]^[32]

Licensing and regulation

NinjaTrader is registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) as an Introducing Broker and is a member of the National Futures Association (NFA). It offers brokerage services through NinjaTrader Clearing, LLC d/b/a NinjaTrader, Tradovate, and Kraken Derivatives US, a registered futures commission merchant (FCM).^[33]

References

[1] ttps://www.reuters.com/technology/kraken-acquire-ninjatrader-15-billion-deal-2025-03-20/

[2] ttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-20/kraken-to-acquire-futures-platform-ninjatrader-for-1-5-billion?srnd=homepage-americas

[3] ttps://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/investing/best-brokers-futures-commodities-trading

[4] ttps://www.pippenguin.net/reviews/ninjatrader-review/

[5] ttps://www.financemagnates.com/forex/ninjatrader-buys-transact-futures-and-its-introducing-broker-infinity/

[6] ttps://books.google.com/books?id=4syXO5xmg4wC&pg=PA214

[7] ttps://books.google.com/books?id=u7IYEQAAQBAJ&pg=RA1-PA34

[8] ttps://www.financemagnates.com/forex/brokers/ninjatrader-acquires-mirus-futures-launches-ninjatrader-brokerage/

[9] ttps://www.tradersmagazine.com/departments/brokerage/outlook-2025-martin-franchi-ninjatrader/

[10] ttps://www.chicagobusiness.com/finance-banking/ninjatrader-ceo-sees-surge-futures-trading-among-younger-users

[11] ttps://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/investing/ninjatrader-review

[12] ttps://fxnewsgroup.com/forex-news/retail-forex/ninjatrader-acquires-tradovate-for-115-million/

[13] ttps://www.financemagnates.com/forex/ninjatrader-buys-transact-futures-and-its-introducing-broker-infinity/

[14] ttps://technical.traders.com/Products/rcaballot.asp

[15] ttps://technical.traders.com/archive/archivelogin.asp?file=%5CV41%5CC13%5C590RCAW.pdf&src=SC

[16] ttps://technical.traders.com/archive/archivelogin.asp?file=%5CV40%5CC13%5C403RCAW.pdf&src=SC

[17] ttps://technical.traders.com/archive/archivelogin.asp?file=%5CV39%5CC13%5C219RCAW.pdf&src=SC

[18] ttps://www.reuters.com/technology/kraken-acquire-ninjatrader-15-billion-deal-2025-03-20/

[19] ttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-20/kraken-to-acquire-futures-platform-ninjatrader-for-1-5-billion?srnd=homepage-americas

[20] ttps://africa.businessinsider.com/news/how-ai-was-used-in-this-dollar15-billion-manda-deal/m12jvbd

[21] ttps://www.wsj.com/business/deals/crypto-exchange-kraken-nears-1-5-billion-deal-for-futures-trading-business-55466346

[22] ttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-14/kraken-expands-beyond-crypto-in-stocks-etfs-trading-partnership-with-alpaca

[23] ttps://forextester.com/blog/best-practice-trading-simulators?srsltid=AfmBOooK5C7kftoELKtzpB9Cq0X-hCkiXJNfR35QtizCU92TVtwgR26Y

[24] ttps://tradingcritique.com/broker-review/ninja-trader/

[25] ttps://www.financemagnates.com/forex/brokers/ninjatrader-acquires-mirus-futures-launches-ninjatrader-brokerage/

[26] ttps://financefeeds.com/ninjatrader-launches-fcm-for-retail-traders/

[27] ttp://www.adaptrade.com/Newsletter/NL-NinjaScript.htm

[28] ttps://stackoverflow.com/questions/66371334/c-sharp-ninjascript-ninjatrader-8-nt8-code-to-obtain-the-time-and-date-of

[29] ttps://books.google.com/books?id=u7IYEQAAQBAJ&pg=RA1-PA34

[30] ttps://www.financemagnates.com/forex/products/ninjatrader-arena-turns-futures-trading-into-a-challenge-to-lure-younger-investors/

[31] ttps://www.financemagnates.com/forex/ninjatrader-expands-trading-tools-with-new-livestream-for-market-insights/

[32] ttps://fxnewsgroup.com/forex-news/retail-forex/ninjatrader-launches-revamped-livestream-ninjatrader-live/

[33] ttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-20/kraken-to-acquire-futures-platform-ninjatrader-for-1-5-billion?srnd=homepage-americas

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History

Overview

Licensing and regulation

References

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