What happens to the money and assets in my US options and futures accounts?
If you have a US options and futures account with us, any money you deposit will automatically be converted to USD and securely transmitted to our clearing, custody and settlement partner, Apex Clearing Corporation (Apex), which is based in the US. Apex is subject to US laws and regulation around holding client money and is required to hold client money and assets separately from its own funds. Client money and assets held in this type of account are not subject to UK client money regulations.
Apart from being regulated in the US, it’s a member of the Securities Investor Protection Company (‘SIPC’), which means money and assets held by Apex are covered by SIPC insurance protection.
When you use the IG tastytrade platform to trade, Apex will hold any assets that result from the transaction. It holds securities in accordance with US laws. The terms and conditions of this service are set out in your Apex agreement, which you receive when you opened your account.
In the unlikely event that Apex becomes insolvent and can't return your money or assets, you'll be protected by the SIPC as follows:
- Cash and securities (stocks, shares and options) up to $500,000 total protection
- Cash protection under SIPC protection is limited to $250,000 within the $500,000 total