---
title: Can I invest in futures?
description: Futures contracts are an alternative investment permitted in your self-directed IRA at STRATA. These investments are a type of derivative contract agreement (value is derived from
---
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# Can I invest in futures?
Futures contracts or simply "Futures" are an alternative investment permitted in your self-directed IRA at STRATA. These investments are a type of derivative contract agreement (value is derived from the performance of market factors) to buy or sell a specific commodity asset or security at a set future date for a set price.
*Futures are traded on futures exchanges like the CME Group and require a brokerage account that’s approved to trade futures*. Your STRATA IRA can establish a trading account through a futures commission merchant (“FCM”) where you or your broker can place trades in commodities, futures, and forex. Please refer to our [Futures Investment Checklist](https://www.stratatrust.com/resource-center/forms/#futures-investment-checklist-and-forms) for more details.
**What to expect**
- **Personal funds are not allowed -** If your futures account requires additional funding (shortfall or margin call), the funds must be sent directly from your STRATA cash account. If your STRATA account does not have sufficient funds, then you will need to transfer funds from another IRA or Qualified plan to STRATA, or you may make your IRA contribution directly to STRATA ([if eligible](http://stag.stratatrust.com/self-directed-iras/fund-your-account/#annual-contribution)). Then you can direct STRATA to send funds directly to your futures account.
- **Managed account or self-trading allowed -** You may either trade your own account, or you may designate a broker or other third party to trade futures on behalf of your STRATA account.
- **Commodity pools are allowed - You may participate in a commodity pool,** refer to our [Private Equity Investment Checklist](https://stratatrust.hflip.co/83e99af287.html) for more details about directing an investment into a commodity pool.
**Questions**
You may find helpful resources by visiting the websites of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission ([www.cftc.gov](http://www.cftc.gov/)) and the National Futures Association ([www.nfa.futures.org](http://www.nfa.futures.org/)).
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STRATA Trust Company (“STRATA”) performs the duties of a directed (passive) custodian, and as such does not provide due diligence to third parties regarding prospective investments, platforms, sponsors, dealers or service providers. As a custodian, STRATA does not sponsor, endorse or sell any investment and is not affiliated with any investment sponsor, issuer or dealer. STRATA does not provide investment, legal or tax advice. Individuals should consult with their investment, legal or tax professionals for such services.