The IG-Tastytrade deal comes as interest in options has surged among individual investors. Many Americans turned to trading stocks and options during the coronavirus pandemic, as lockdowns and a shift toward remote working left millions at home with little to do. Intense volatility across financial markets, a move toward zero- or low-commission trades in the brokerage industry and popular trading apps such as Robinhood also fueled the boom.
“There’s a new generation of retail traders entering the market,” Kristi Ross, co-chief executive of Tastytrade, said in an interview. “That’s an opportunity for us to go in and make sure they’re educated and informed.”