Lumina Markets launched its web and mobile prediction-market app on 19 October for US persons aged 21 and above. Customers can trade ForecastEx event contracts covering subjects such as economic policy, elections and technology. The launch excludes sports contracts.[1]
The company describes itself as a CFTC-registered introducing broker and NFA member. Its role supplies a customer-facing route to the underlying market: all customer accounts are carried by Interactive Brokers, and execution is exclusively on ForecastEx. Customers cannot select another clearing firm or venue through Lumina.[1][3]
Charges on each executed trade
| Charge | Basis |
|---|---|
| ForecastEx transaction fee | $0.01 per contract, per side. |
| Lumina commission | 0.35% of trade value: contract price multiplied by quantity. |
For example, buying 1,000 contracts at $0.50 creates a $500 trade value. The published rates produce a $10 exchange fee and $1.75 commission, or $11.75 combined, before any effect from the bid–ask spread.[2]
Lumina also receives 25% of the exchange transaction fee, which is already included in the customer’s charge. Interactive Brokers retains part of Lumina’s commission. Separately, ForecastEx deducts an annualised 0.50 percentage points from interest on contract collateral before paying the variable incentive coupon, which is floored at zero; Lumina receives none of that deduction.[2]
The conflicts disclosure identifies Thomas Peterffy as chairman and approximately 80% owner of Lumina through Conyers Investments, alongside his control of Interactive Brokers Group. This connects the introducing broker, clearing provider and exchange through common control. The company discloses that it does not assess competing execution or clearing arrangements for customers.[3]
Its stated controls include self-directed trading, no recommendations or discretionary account decisions, and review of related-party arrangements. The commercial model adds a new distribution channel for ForecastEx while tying Lumina’s revenue to the number and value of contracts its customers trade.[3]
Sources & further reading
- Lumina Markets launches prediction market app for US customers Lumina Markets via Business Wire · 19 Oct 2026 · Accessed 20 Oct 2026
- Fee disclosure — effective 14 October 2026 Lumina Markets · 14 Oct 2026 · Accessed 20 Oct 2026
- Conflicts of interest disclosure — effective 14 October 2026 Lumina Markets · 14 Oct 2026 · Accessed 20 Oct 2026