Tradovate for Automated Gold Futures: What Traders Need to Know

Tradovate is the futures broker that Tradematic connects to for the Gold Breakout strategy. If you want to run automated gold futures trading through Tradematic, you need a Tradovate account. Here is what to know about the account, the contracts, and how the integration works.
What Is Tradovate?
Tradovate is a US-based, CFTC-regulated futures broker. It offers access to CME Group futures products, including gold. Two gold futures contracts trade on CME:
- GC (gold standard): 100 troy oz per contract. A $10/oz move is $1,000 per contract.
- MGC (micro gold): 10 troy oz per contract. A $10/oz move is $100 per contract.
Both contracts are available through Tradovate. The CME Group's gold contract specifications provide the full details on margin requirements, trading hours, and tick sizes.
Tradovate supports automated order routing through API connections, which is how Tradematic executes trades in your account. You retain full ownership of your account and capital at all times. Tradematic sends trade instructions through the broker API — it never has custody of your funds.
Account Requirements
To run the Gold Breakout strategy:
- A funded Tradovate account with at least $1,000
- Futures trading approval (standard for futures brokers — you complete a brief questionnaire about your trading experience)
- Connection to Tradematic through the platform's broker integration
Tradovate accounts can be funded via ACH, wire, or check. The minimum deposit varies and is set by Tradovate, not Tradematic.
How Contract Selection Works
One of the practical advantages of the Tradematic system is automatic contract selection. You do not need to decide whether to trade GC or MGC. You define your fixed dollar stop loss per trade, and the system calculates the correct contract type and quantity to stay within that limit.
For a $1,000 account with a $50 stop loss, the system will likely use MGC micro contracts. For a larger account with a larger stop loss, it may use GC standard contracts or multiple MGC contracts.
This prevents the most common sizing mistake in futures: traders with small accounts taking standard contracts that expose them to risk multiples larger than intended.
What to Expect from the Connection
Once your Tradovate account is connected to Tradematic:
- The system monitors gold futures during regular CME trading hours
- When a breakout condition is identified, an order is placed in your Tradovate account automatically
- The position is managed with the defined stop and target
- No manual action is required on your end
You will see the trades in your Tradovate account history exactly as they occur. The track record on Tradematic's portal reflects the same trades.
For traders who also want automated options strategies, Tradematic's Iron Condor strategy runs through separate accounts at Tradier or Tastytrade. See running Iron Condors and Gold Futures on the same platform for how both fit within the same subscription.
Start your 7-day free trial to connect your Tradovate account and begin the Gold Breakout strategy.
Trading involves risk and losses can occur. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Futures trading involves significant risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Leverage can amplify both gains and losses. Only allocate capital you are comfortable risking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Tradematic use Tradovate for the Gold Breakout strategy? Tradovate is a US-regulated futures broker that supports API-based automated order execution and offers access to both standard GC and micro MGC gold futures contracts on the CME. These features make it the right fit for Tradematic's automated Gold Breakout strategy.
What is the minimum account size needed at Tradovate? Tradematic's Gold Breakout strategy supports Tradovate accounts starting at $1,000. The specific minimum deposit requirement is set by Tradovate. At $1,000, the system uses micro MGC contracts to stay within your stop loss parameters.
Does Tradematic have access to your Tradovate funds? No. Tradematic connects to your Tradovate account via API to send trade instructions. It never has custody of your funds. You maintain full ownership and control of your account at all times.
How does Tradematic choose between GC and MGC contracts? You set a fixed dollar stop loss per trade. The system calculates which contract type (GC standard at 100 oz or MGC micro at 10 oz) and how many contracts to use to stay within your defined dollar risk. You do not need to make this decision manually.
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