1-877-4-TRADE-0
United States
TradeZero

FAQ

Who is TradeZero?
TradeZero America, Inc. is a broker dealer located in New York. We are members FINRA and SIPC. Check Broker Check registration here:, please click here.
TradeZero America Inc.'s mission is to provide stock and options trading services through its full suite of trading platforms.
What is the cut-off time for requesting an ACH or Wire withdrawal?

Wire and ACH transfers requested by 2:30 pm est will be processed on the same day under normal business circumstances.  Wire and ACH transfers requested after the cut-off time will be handled on a best effort’s basis.  
Large withdrawal requests are subject to additional Compliance verification, which may include contacting the customer.

How long does and ACH transfer take?

An ACH deposit can take up to five business days after you initiate the ACH transfer to deposit into your TradeZero account. Please make sure you have the necessary funds in your bank account for five business days after you initiate the ACH transfer to prevent a transfer reversal. A transfer reversal may occur when a scheduled bank transfer is cancelled for insufficient funds. Your bank may charge a transfer reversal fee and TradeZero will charge a $50.00 reversal fee.

An ACH withdrawal will be processed on the same day under normal business circumstances if the request is submitted by 2:30 pm est and the following is met:

  • The account has settled funds to cover the withdrawal.

  • The withdrawal will not create a margin call.

  • The withdrawal is not a large amount needing Compliance verification.

  • The withdrawal is not a third-party transfer.

What is the margin requirement for stocks under $3.00?
Equity securities with a market value of less the $3.00 per share may not be purchased on margin or deposited as margin collateral.  If the market value of a security drops below $3.00 per share, the security will not be assigned any value as collateral to secure your margin obligation.
When are platform fees charged?
Platform fees are charged the 1st of every month and prorated starting the 15th of every month.  Cancelling a platform or updating a platform, to avoid being charged, must be made by the last day of the month.   
Do you offer Pre and Post market trading?
Yes, Pre-market trading begins at 4 am eastern and ends at 9:30 am eastern.  Post-market trading begins at 4 pm eastern and ends at 8 pm eastern time.
Why was I able to locate more shares than I can short sell?
TradeZero’s short list locator calculates the marginability of a stock based on the current price of the stock at the time you request the locate. If the stock drops below $3.00, the stock is no longer marginable. This may occur between the time you locate shares and the time you place a short order. When a stock becomes nonmarginable, this may reduce the number of shares you may trade regardless of how many shares you have located. Conversely, if the stock price rallies above $3.00, it will again become marginable and this too may increase the number of shares you can trade.  
However, please keep in mind that TradeZero does not permit shorting any stock below $1.00. If the price of a stock falls below $1.00 between the time you locate shares and the time you place a short order, you will not be able to short the stock. Furthermore, you will not be able to use any located shares while the stock remains below $1.00. TradeZero cannot refund the cost of any shares you locate because of the change in margi
nability of the stock or if the stock drops below $1.00. TradeZero gives you the ability to put up for credit any unused shares and if these shares are located you can recoup up to 50% of the locate price.

When does my buying power update for the new trading day?
3AM eastern standard time.
How does TradeZero profit from Zero Commission orders?
The TradeZero smart router routes the orders to market centers that provide payment for order flow or rebates. These market centers include ARCA, EDGX, BATS, NSDQ and others.
If TradeZero is directing my trade, will I still get the best possible execution price?
TradeZero is subject to Reg NMS. This states that firms are obligated to provide investors with executions at the best possible price. Read more about Reg NMS here: click here.
What firms are used to locate stock?
We use a custom blended list from several different clearing firms.
How are overnight borrow rates calculated?

The cost to borrow located shares overnight for the 1st night will be 5x times the market rate cost. The market rate cost will be equal to the highest rate that the client paid for locating the shares during the day. For example, if 100 shares were located for 0.01 per share and another 100 shares is located for 0.02 per share, the cost to borrow 200 located shares overnight will be 200 x 0.02 x 5 = $20.00. If only 100 located shares are borrowed overnight, then the cost will be 100 x 0.02 x 5 = $10.00.


The cost to carry an overnight borrow for every night after the 1st night will be charged at 1x the market rate cost. The market rate cost will be the highest rate paid for the located shares when the shares were initially located.

Who is the clearing firm?
Apex Clearing is a US based clearing firm located in Dallas, Texas. Apex Clearing is a SIPC/FINRA member.
https://www.apexclearing.com/
How much is needed to open a new account?
Initial funding of new accounts must be $2500 or more.
If a mandatory corporate action is declared on a stock I have a position in, what are TradeZero's procedures?

If you hold a position in a security that is scheduled for a corporate action which will result in a stock split (forward or reverse), merger, or name change, the position will be removed from the trading platform between 4:00 pm est and 5:00 pm est, the day before the corporate action is to occur.  After the corporate action, TradeZero will confirm with its clearing house the correct symbol and number of shares of the resulting security to be placed in your account.  This process may take a few days depending on the complexity of the corporate action and the delivery of shares.  Once the corrected shares and or symbol are confirmed by the clearing house, the updated position will be returned to the trading platform.

It is your responsibility to be aware of pending corporate actions and how such events will affect their outstanding portfolio.  TradeZero charges $35.00 for processing corporate actions and $100.00 for reorganization activity.

Are there any other fees associated with Zero Commission Stock Trading?

Hard to Borrow Short LocationAt cost
Hard to Borrow Overnight Shorts5x market rate cost for 1st night, additional days charged at 1x market rate
Hard to Borrow Overnight Short PositionsOdd lot positions will be rounded up to the nearest hundred
Margin Debt Interest5%
TAF Fee$0.000119 per share, sell side only
SEC Fee0.0000221 x dollar amount, sell side only
NSCC Fee0.00003 per share, $0.18 maximum and $0.033 minimum
FOCUS Fee0.0000007 per share
 SIPC Fee

0.000015 per share 

Assisted Trade$30

What are the client support options?
Live support via chat on our web site, telephone (1-877-4-TRADE-0) or email [email protected]
Does the demo provide real time data?
The free demo provides streaming 15 minute delayed data. Demo executions DO NOT in any way reflect live trading executions. They should not be used as a metric for how live trading works or executes in any way.

Are there any day trading restrictions?

Yes. Pattern Day Trader(PDT) restrictions apply to stock and options trading. A Pattern Day Trader is a FINRA designation for a margin account that executes four or more day trades in five business days, provided the number of day trades are more than 6% of an accounts total trading activity for that same five-day period. These accounts need to maintain a daily equity balance of $25k or more and receive 4:1 Day Trading Buying Power from the clearing house. When the Starting Day Equity Balance is below $25k, the Day Trading Buying Power is reduces to zero (0).

Margin accounts receive 2:1 margin and must adhere to the PDT restrictions when the Starting Day Equity Balance is below $25k.

Cash Accounts are not intended to be day trading accounts. A cash account must have settled funds before a purchase can be made and before a security can be sold. If a cash account trades daily and liquidates long term positions, it is possible for the account to receive a "Good Faith Violation". Cash accounts are not allowed to short stock.


Does the Pattern Day Trading (PDT) Rule apply to options trading?
Yes, the PDT rule applies to options trading.

What is the Pattern Day Trader Rule?

TradeZero America, Inc., like all other registered Broker Dealers in the US, enforces the Pattern Day Trading (PDT) rule as defined by FINRA Rule 4210 (Margin Requirements).

The PDT rule generally states that a customer is limited to three (3) round trip trades in any consecutive five trading day period unless maintaining a daily equity balance of $25,000.

If a customer creates a fourth (4) roundtrip trade, the account is classified as a pattern day trading account for ninety days. During this time, the account is restricted from day trading unless the equity balance is $25,000 or more.

The PDT rule applies to margin accounts that trade stock and options.

Click here to read FINRA Rule 4210 on Pattern Day Trading (PDT Rule).

Day Trade Counting
Examples
This is one day trade because account bought and sold 100 shares XYZ in the same day.Account starts with 0 shares XYZ.
Buy 100 XYZ today
Sell 100 XYZ today
This is one day trade because account shorted and covered 100 shares XYZ in the same dayAccount starts with 0 shares XYZ
Short 100 YXY today
Cover 100 XYZ today
This is one day trade. The trade that opened before today does not count.Account start day with 100 shares XYZ
Sell 100 XYZ today
Buy 100 XYZ today
Sell 100 XYZ today
This is one day trade. The Buy of 50 and Sell of XYZ occurred today.Account starts day with 100 XYZ
Buy 50 XYZ today
Sell 100 XYZ today
This is one day trade because there is only one change of direction in the account, going from long to flat on the same day.Account starts day with 0 shares of XYZ
Buy 100 XYZ today
Buy 100 XYZ today
Sell 50 XYZ today
Sell 50 XYZ today
Sell 100 XYZ today
This is two day trades because a change of direction happened when a Cover of 50 XYZ occurred. The counter started on the second trade on the next short of 100 XYZ.Account starts day with 0 shares of XYZ
Short 100 XYZ today
Short 50 XYZ today
Cover 50 XYZ today
Short 100 XYZ today
Cover 100 XYZ today
Cover 100 XYZ today
Is TradeZero a member of SIPC?
Yes, TradeZero America, Inc. is an SIPC Member. Please click here
Are accounts accepted from the US?
We are able to accept accounts in every state and territory in the US.
Can you use the platform in a mac?
ZeroWeb and ZeroFree can be used on a Mac via Google Chrome and or Mozilla FireFox. Please do not use it with Safari. ZeroPro platform may be used with Windows emulation, such as Parallels Desktop. However, TradeZero does not provide technical support for ZeroPro run on any emulation.

What is the short list?

The short list is a proprietary tool on the trading platform that queries all TZA locate required securities for availability and price per share to locate.

How are clients able to see what is easy to borrow? (no locate required)

 The easy to borrow list (short list) is imported daily into the trading platform.  If the stock is easy to borrow the trading platform will show a green "S" next to the symbol box. This means a locate is not required.

What are the short locate fees?

Locate fees are quoted per share.  The rate is determined by the supply and demand to locate the shares on that day.  The fees can vary during the day depending on market conditions.  Locate fees are charged only after the price for the locate is accepted. If the locate shares are declined, then no fee is charged.

I do not have experience trading, but I am curious and I want to learn, can you help?
TradeZero has education partner relationships that can help with trading education. TradeZero can provide you a real-time demo that will allow you to trade the stock market and not lose a single penny! These Live Paper Trading accounts are offered to active clients for $79 a month. TradeZero is not an education company.
How can I fund my account?
You can fund your account by sending a Bank Wire or Automated Clearing House (ACH) Transfer. We do not accept Third Party Wires. Your name and legal address from your bank must match the information you provided on your account paperwork.
How can I become an associate of TradeZero?
Send your resume and cover letter to [email protected]
Can you set a daily loss limit on my account?
Yes, we have risk tools and can enable a daily loss limit to your trading account.  These work during market hours (9:30am est to 4:00pm est).

Will TradeZero ever cover your equity positions?

TradeZero America can force the sale or cover of equities positions in a customer’s account(s) without prior notice. If during the trading day, the equity in a customer’s account:

  • Falls between 15-20%, TradeZero America may, at its discretion, buy-in or liquidate the customer’s position in order to raise account equity up to 25% or more;
  • Falls to 15% or below, TradeZero America may, at its discretion, buy-in or liquidate the customer’s entire account.

After buy-in or liquidation, it is the customer’s responsibility to maintain or increase account equity to meet the requirements stated in the Apex Clearing (“APEX”) Margin Form.

Likewise, If APEX cannot continue to borrow the securities in which a customer has a short position, TradeZero America may notify customers to cover their short positions during trading hours.

Furthermore, if the customer receives a margin call and fails to fund his/her account, TradeZero may liquidate any positions in the account to satisfy the maintenance margin call.

What are the minimum specs for running ZeroPro?
  • Win7 SP1+ (no Mac)
  • .Net Framework 4.6.2+

What is the margin requirement when shorting a stock under $2.50? Are these stocks marginable?

Margin requirement will be 100% of $2.50.  ex:  if you  short 1000 shares of stock at $1.00, the cost to carry the position will be $2500.

How can I check my account balance?
You can check your account balance by logging into your TradeZero client portal.  Go to www.tradezero.us  Sign in using your User ID and Password.  

Is there an ACH fee?
ACH Deposits are free of charge and Withdrawals will incur a $5 fee.  A returned ACH will be charged $50 fee.
How long does it take for an ACH deposit/withdrawal?
ACH transfers may take up to 3 business days
When will I receive access to the platform?
You will receive access to the platform once the account is funded with a minimum of $2500
Do you offer a live paper trading account?
TradeZero offers Live Paper Trading accounts to active clients for $79 a month
How much money must I have in my account to maintain access to a trading Platform?
You must maintain an equity balance of $250 to maintain access to a trading platform.
Who is responsible for managing the exercise/assignment risk associated with options?
TradeZero clients are ultimately responsible for managing the exercise/assignment risks associated with the positions in their accounts.
Does TradeZero charge commission to trade options?
TradeZero does not charge commission per contract to trade options.
Are there any other fees associated with Zero Commission Options Trading?


  • Options Clearing Corp (OCC) fee :  $0.055 per contract; $55 cap
  • Options Regulatory Fee (ORF):  $0.0388 per contract
  • Options Exercise or Assignment:  $35
  • SEC Fee:  $0.0000221 x dollar amount, sell side only
Can TradeZero close out an option position before expiration?
Yes.  Accounts which do not have enough equity prior to expiration/assignment and/or introduce undo risk should the price change dramatically upon delivery may be closed prior to the close of the options market on expiration day.  If uncollateralized risk far exceeds any in-the money value, determined by risk management specifically at expiration, the position will be closed out prior to the close of the options trading on expiration day. 
What are some reasons TradeZero (TZA) may close out an option position?
  • TZA will liquidate positions based upon certain expiration or corporate action related events which, after giving effect to, would create undo risk and/or operation concerns.  
  • If TZA deems the exposure of exercise/assignment will create undo risk then TZA has the right to either liquidate options prior to expiration, allow the options to lapse or allow delivery and liquidate the underlying at any time.  Also, the account may be restricted from opening new positions to prevent an increase in exposure.  
  • If TZA determines the exposure is excessive, TZA may liquidate positions in the account to resolve the projected margin deficiency.
  • If the exercise or assignment of an option would result in a short position in a cash account, the option position may be closed by TZA on the expiration date.  
Does TradeZero offer options trading?
TradeZero currently offers trading in U.S. listed Equity, ETF and ETN options.
When is the last day I can open an Option Trade?
2:00 pm EST on the option expiration date is the cut-off to open a new option position. 

When will the clearing house exercise my option position?
Apex Clearing will automatically exercise options at in-the money levels as low as $0.01 on options expiration.  There are cases when Exercise by Exception is removed, and all exercises must be done by instruction.  It is the responsibility of the account holder to know when this is the case.  
Can I exercise an option prior to expiration?
American style options can be exercised or assigned at any time between the trade date and the expiration date.  
Can I be assigned on my short option position prior to expiration?

Option writers are subject to the risk each day their options are exercisable that some or all of them may be assigned.
What happens to my short options on expiration?
Assignment of options are allocated by Apex Clearing Corp.
What is the Option Disclosure Document (ODD)?

ODD is a publication issued by the Options Clearing Corporation that serves as a guide for options traders.  The document is essential for novice options traders.  Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors.  The risks inherent to options trading may expose investors to potentially significant losses.  The ODD formerly titled Characteristics & Risks of Standardized Options can be found here: https://www.theocc.com/about/publications/character-risks.jsp.

How does TradeZero's clearing house (Apex Clearing Corp.) allocate option exercise assignment notices?
When the clearing house  receives an exercise notice from the Options Clearing Corporation, they assign the notice to a customer who is a writer of an identical option contract. Exercise assignment notices for option contracts are allocated among customer short positions pursuant to a manual procedure, which randomly selects from among all customer short option positions, including positions established on the day of assignment, those contracts which are subject to exercise. All short American option positions are liable for assignment at any time.  If, for example, an exercise notice is assigned to your account, you must deliver the underlying security to us in the case of a call, and you must deposit cash with us in the case of a put sufficient to properly margin the security within a stated period of time.
What is the cut-off to submit Do Not Exercise and Exercise submissions?
Do Not Exercise and Exercise submissions must be submitted to TradeZero by 4:15 pm EST.  An email should be sent to [email protected]. 
Can retail clients utilize CMTA Clearing?

TradeZero does not utilize CMTA clearing for retail clients.