Optiver Welcomes Block Trading for Options on E-Mini Nasdaq-100 Futures

Optiver, a top market maker in equity index derivatives, is pleased to support CME in its move to make options on E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures (NQ) eligible for block trading. From January 24, institutional investors can source direct liquidity in NQ options blocks via electronic execution during an extended 23-hour trading day.

Block trades

Block trades – privately negotiated transactions between two eligible counterparties – offer the ability to execute large trades quickly, at one price and with minimum hassle. As such, they can be a capital-efficient way for institutions to manage risks, even during periods of heightened volatility. In addition to NQ blocks, CME already makes block trading available for E-mini S&P 500 (ES) and E-mini Russell 2000 (RTY) options.

“At Optiver, we support access to liquidity and real-time price discovery for all market participants. With the technology sector in focus, institutions need an efficient way to hedge and manage their risks. The ability to transact large orders at speed through NQ options blocks is a welcome development. Building upon our lengthy track record of block trading across multiple asset classes, we look forward to providing pricing on NQ blocks for institutional parties,” says Optiver US CEO Rutger Brinkhuis.

For more information please contact:

Justin Lees
Head of Institutional Trading US

Max Michael
Institutional Trader UK

Yakob Peterseil
Communications

Optiver, a leading global market maker, announced a strong set of financial results for the year 2025, as the company marked its 40th anniversary.

Optiver is partnering with IIT Bombay to launch the IIT Bombay-Optiver AI Innovation Lab — a dedicated research facility that will support cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research in artificial intelligence.

Based in Washington, D.C., the Psaros Center is a leading academic initiative focused on advancing research, convening policymakers and financial industry leaders, and raising the quality of solutions-oriented discussion that impacts financial markets policy and practice.

Optiver’s new Sydney office at 275 Kent Street, is a purpose-built workplace designed to accelerate innovation, attract top talent, and strengthen the firm’s role as a leading market maker and liquidity provider in the Asia Pacific region.

Ranking among the world's top players for over a decade comes with the pressure to keep winning, and this year proved a challenging start for Anish.

Optiver and BMLL: A new approach to Level 3 market data

Principal Strategic Investments

Historical data at a high level of granularity isn’t easy to manage, and we found the datasets offered by vendors lacking.

Click below

Learn more about Optiver