The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is the primary federal body with oversight responsibility for the trading of commodity futures and options contracts in the United States. The CFTC Web site (www.cftc.gov) contains helpful information for prospective customers, including CFTC Advisories, which alerts the public to warning signs of possible fraudulent activity and offers precautions that investors should take before committing funds.

While the CFTC oversees an entire industry, the front-line regulator of CME markets has always been CME itself. Through its Clearing House and Audit Department, for example, CME ensures the financial integrity of the products it offers and the member firms that carry the trades in those products.

Through its Market Regulation Department, the Exchange actively surveils market behavior and trading practices. It is the Market Regulation staff who investigates possible misconduct and, when appropriate, initiates disciplinary action.

The  Regulatory (PDF)  provides a short summary of the rules most applicable to the CME® Globex® system including, entities authorized to access the CME Globex system, order entry rules and records retention.