Futu Partners with Cboe, the Largest U.S. Options Exchange, to Launch First Options Summit

(Hong Kong, April 20, 2026) As market volatility intensifies, the demand for options as a tool  for risk management and yield enhancement continues to grow. However, a significant awareness gap remains among individual investors. To break down knowledge barriers and empower more investors to navigate market fluctuations with greater confidence, Futu Securities International (Hong Kong) Limited (“Futu”) is partnering with Cboe Global Markets (“Cboe”), the largest U.S. options exchange, to hold the “Mastering Volatility, Seizing Opportunities — Futu Options Summit 2026” on April 25.

As the first summit organized by Futu and partners with an options exchange in Hong Kong, the event aims to enhance investors’ understanding and application of options, driving mainstream adoption of options trading in the local market. In which, Head of Global Derivatives, Sales – APAC Clients at Cboe, Sharon Ang; Chief Analyst at Futu Securities, Arnold Tam; Stock Commentator, Fund Manager and Partner at Alex KY Wong Asset Management, Alex Wong; Options Specialist and Technical Analyst, PC Wong; and renowned Options and Futures Trader, OptionJack will share their practical strategies and insights. The summit will also feature an interactive experience zone, where participants can engage directly with professional trading tools.

Options Trading Volume Surges 50% in 2025, Cementing Its Role as a Key Tool for Risk Management and Yield Enhancement

With market volatility intensifying in 2026, options have become an indispensable instrument for investors seeking to manage risk and enhance returns. Once considered the territory of professionals, options trading is now increasingly embraced by retail investors worldwide as part of a proactive investment strategy.

Trading in Cboe’s index options during Global Trading Hours (GTH)—often used as an indicator of international participation outside U.S. market hours—has shown sustained growth, with average daily volumes in 2025 up nearly 50% year‑over‑year, continuing a multi‑year upward trend. Notably, retail investors accounted for roughly 50% of participation in the overall U.S. options market — marking the arrival of the mass adoption era for options trading.

Futu’s platform data reflects a similar trend in Hong Kong. In March 2026, the number of Futu Securities clients executing their first options trade increased by 15.3% month-on-month, while the total options trading volume recorded a 25.1% rise. This indicates that retail investors are increasingly leveraging options to manage costs, enhance returns, and hedge effectively amid heightened market volatility.

Advanced Tools and Technology Empowerment: Options Hedging and AI-Driven Decision Support for Investors

As a global pioneer in derivatives, Cboe provides innovative market structures and near 24-hour trading — including products such as Russell 2000 Index Options.

Futu offers Hong Kong investors a comprehensive suite of options products, covering U.S. stock options, U.S. index options, Hong Kong stock options, ETFs, futures options, and up to 13 combination strategies. From foundational to advanced levels, these products are designed to meet diverse risk appetites and investment objectives with flexibility.

On the technology front, Futu’s Futubull App, delivers an intuitive and seamless options trading interface featuring advanced proprietary tools such as an options chain analysis system, options calculator, unusual activity monitor, and options leaderboard. Backed by cutting-edge infrastructure with microsecond-level market data refresh speeds, the platform provides robust support for real-time trading decisions.

At the end of last year, Futu expanded its Futubull AI Chatbot and AI Insight capabilities across all asset classes, including options, offering investors real-time market analysis and enhanced investment support through intelligent technology.

Bridging the Options Knowledge Gap: Retail Investors Need Professional Platforms and Guidance

Although options trading is becoming increasingly mainstream, Hong Kong’s options market remains heavily dominated by a small group of professional players. The core reason lies in the limited understanding of options among individual investors, many of whom remain cautious or hesitant to participate.

According to Cboe’s Global Derivatives APAC Retail Research Study (2025)[1], 86% of APAC retail traders use derivatives. The research also points to education and access considerations, 72% of respondents are interested in derivatives but are looking for more reliable sources of information, with 38% indicating a need for more education and 14% noting that index options are not offered by their broker. The study reflects 66% say unbiased educational content really matters to them.

As retail investors’ interest in options education and market participation continues to grow, there is a rising demand for reliable learning resources and accessible trading channels. The partnership between Futu and Cboe is designed to bridge this gap. By combining Cboe’s more than 40 years of expertise in options education with Futu’s technology-driven trading platform, the collaboration offers Hong Kong investors a comprehensive, end-to-end options trading experience — from foundational knowledge to real-world application.

Through its free on-demand exchange‑affiliated platform, The Options Institute, Cboe provides retail investors of all experience levels with free, helping them better understand options and risk‑managed approaches such as portfolio hedging. Futu, in turn, offers a range of online courses from beginner to advanced levels, covering practical strategy applications and risk management training.

Jeff Shi, Regional Director of Futu Securities said, “Amid market volatility, Futu remains committed to providing investors with diverse, flexible, and adaptive investment options, while delivering a world-class options trading experience that helps global investors seize more market opportunities. We are honored to collaborate with Cboe — a partnership that not only reflects the market’s strong recognition of Futu’s innovation and client service, but also marks a new milestone in the development of Hong Kong’s options market. Looking ahead, Futu will continue to deepen collaboration with leading global exchanges, enhance multi-asset allocation tools, and help Hong Kong investors expand their horizons, boost market participation, and strengthen overall investment confidence.”

Sharon Ang, Head of Global Derivatives Sales – APAC Clients at Cboe said, “In today's unpredictable market environment, options are no longer just a trading tool — they can be an essential layer of portfolio protection. Much like insurance, options allow investors to define their risk and safeguard their holdings against sudden market dislocations, which we have seen with increasing frequency in Hong Kong and across Asia.

At Cboe, we are committed to empowering investors with the tools and education they need to navigate volatility with confidence. Our partnership with Futu is a meaningful step toward making sophisticated risk management strategies more accessible to the next generation of Asian investors.”

Event Details as below:

Mastering Volatility · Seizing Opportunities —— 2026 Futu Options Summit

Date: 25 April 2026

Time: 2:00 pm-4:45 pm

Venue: Gordon Wu Hall, B P International, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

Event Registration Link：https://invest.futuhk.com/options_summit

[1] Cboe’s Global Derivatives APAC Retail Research Study (2025), based on a survey of more than 12,000 retail traders across Asia Pacific including Hong Kong, highlights broad engagement with derivatives across the region.