- Cboe Predicts debuts binary contracts allowing traders to bet on whether the Mini-S&P 500 closes above set levels.
- Interactive Brokers offers access now, while Charles Schwab plans to add support in the coming months.
- Contracts clear through OCC and operate under existing U.S. options market regulations and oversight.
Cboe Global Markets has launched Cboe Predicts, a new prediction market platform featuring its first binary options products tied to the Mini-S&P 500 Index. The contracts, listed as XSPBW and XSPBX, are now available through Interactive Brokers and are expected to reach Charles Schwab clients in the coming months. According to Cboe, the launch expands access to outcome-based trading through regulated securities markets and centrally cleared contracts.
First Contracts Focus On Mini-S&P 500 Index
The initial products track the Mini-S&P 500 Index, known as XSP. Notably, XSP measures one-tenth the size of standard S&P 500 Index options. The contracts allow traders to take a direct position on where the index will close.
A “yes” position pays $100 if the index reaches or exceeds a specified level. Meanwhile, a “no” position pays $100 if the index settles below that level. Otherwise, the contracts settle at zero.
According to JJ Kinahan, Head of Retail Expansion and Alternative Investment Products at Cboe, customer demand helped drive the launch. He said interest in shorter-dated and outcome-based trading products continued to grow following the rise of SPX 0DTE options.
Brokers And Clearing Firms Join Rollout
As trading begins, Interactive Brokers has already made the contracts available to its clients. Additionally, Charles Schwab plans to introduce access in the coming months.
Milan Galik, Chief Executive Officer of Interactive Brokers, said the contracts offer another way for investors to express views on market outcomes.
James Kostulias, Head of Trading Services at Charles Schwab, also confirmed plans to support the products through the firm’s platform.
The contracts clear through the Options Clearing Corporation. According to Mike Hansen, OCC will apply its existing clearing infrastructure and settlement processes to the new binary options.
Future Expansion Plans Already Underway
Beyond the initial launch, Cboe plans to introduce trading for XSP vertical spreads through its Quoted Spread Book framework. The company said the system aims to simplify access to defined-risk options strategies.
At the same time, Cboe has launched educational materials through a dedicated prediction markets hub and The Options Institute.
According to Rob Hocking, Global Head of Derivatives at Cboe, the contracts trade under the same regulatory and surveillance framework as U.S.-listed options. Consequently, the products operate within established securities market rules and oversight structures.