Shanghai Futures Exchange Opens Nickel Futures and Options to Offshore Traders, Launches Rubber and Copper Options

Gate News message, April 22 — The Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) officially opened its nickel futures and options to offshore traders starting from the evening continuous trading session on April 21, while simultaneously launching natural rubber (NR) options and international copper options through its subsidiary Shanghai International Energy Exchange. The exchange welcomed qualified foreign investors (QFI) to participate in all three products.

Nickel futures and options mark SHFE's first internationalized commodity futures and options product following the completion of business rule internationalization last year. As of April 22 close, the main nickel contract rose 0.57% to 142,010 yuan per ton. Nickel futures recorded 373,600 contracts traded (one-sided) worth 529.3 billion yuan, while nickel options saw 226,900 contracts traded valued at 1.86 billion yuan. Open interest reached 349,800 contracts for futures and 109,600 for options. NR options recorded 1,538 contracts traded worth 6.293 million yuan with 772 open positions, while international copper options posted 207 contracts traded worth 1.2377 million yuan with 129 open positions.

With these launches, SHFE's count of specific commodities rose to 10, and QFI-tradable products expanded to 36. As of April 22 close, 30 overseas intermediary institutions completed SHFE registration, with offshore clients from Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, UAE, and Cayman Islands actively participating. Participants included producers, banks, risk management firms, and funds.