MetaQuotes has announced a new update, Build 1010, for its MetaTrader 5 platform. While usage of the platform is still well behind that of MetaTrader 4 among forex and CFD traders, MetaQuotes has been positioning MT5 as attractive alternative in other markets. As part of its efforts to expand beyond the forex market, MetaQuotes has been integrating MT5 to numerous global exchanges such as the CME, ASX and WSE, as well as adding direct futures and options trading capability.

Following on this initiative, Build 1010 includes several new features. The first is additional Trading Signal integration within the MetaTrader 5 platform, allowing users to view performance and other strategy information that until now was only available on the MQL5 site. The Trading Signal update follows a similar set of features being added on MT4 during September.

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Perhaps the most important addition is extended features for options trading on the Terminal. Being added are an options board and volatility chart. Using the feature, traders will be able to analyze option prices for multiple strike prices and durations from a single page. According to MetaQuotes, direct trading from the options board will be added in upcoming build updates. As a result, options trading is currently limited to each individual option appearing as a standalone instrument such as forex pairs, CFDs and stocks.

While a tradable options board is standard fare for trading platforms offering options, and on the surface is not the biggest deal, it adds new functionality to MetaTrader 5 and fits MetaQuotes’ long-term plans. Having licensed MT5 to several brokers for multi-asset trading including stocks and futures, MetaQuotes appears to be setting its eyes in capturing a piece of the US market.

The broker is known to be in discussions with at least one major multi-asset focused broker in the country, in which futures and options trading would seemingly be a requirement for them. As opposed to the forex industry, the majority of non-forex retail brokers around the world offer proprietary platforms to their clients. Therefore, an industry move among non-forex brokers to adopt white label platforms could create an opportunity for MetaQuotes and other multi-asset technology providers such as PFSoft with their ProTrader system.