Nasdaq Bumps Options Fee Slightly While Delaying Big Changes
Published Date: 1/2/2026
Notice
Summary
Nasdaq is hitting the pause button on its new Options Regulatory Fee plan, pushing the start date from January 2 to July 1, 2026. Meanwhile, they’re bumping up the current fee from $0.00005 to $0.0006 per contract side to keep things steady while everyone adjusts. This change affects traders using Nasdaq’s options market and keeps the fee system familiar for the next six months.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Nasdaq delays new ORF until July 1, 2026
Nasdaq delayed the start of its new Options Regulatory Fee (ORF) methodology from January 2, 2026 to July 1, 2026 and removed the February 1, 2026 sunset that would have allowed reverting to the prior methodology. This pause gives market participants more time to design, test, and implement the new ORF model.
Temporary ORF increase Jan 2–July 1, 2026
Effective January 2, 2026, Nasdaq will temporarily raise its current Options Regulatory Fee (ORF) from $0.00005 to $0.0006 per contract side while the industry transitions to the new model, with the new ORF methodology scheduled for July 1, 2026. The temporary increase raises the per-contract-side fee by $0.00055 for trades executed on NOM during this period.
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