“What is futures” for FX traders involves currency futures impacting multinational corporate earnings. EUR/USD futures gaining ahead of ECB commentary often lead US market participants to adjust overseas revenue projections. Thus, Bitcoin's early October rally has crypto market participants already talking up the potential of yet another "Uptober." The problem, of course, is that past performance is no guarantee of future performance. There's no rational reason to explain why Bitcoin does so well in the final quarter of the year, and that's what makes me nervous. Data is a real-time snapshot "Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis. When investors ask “what is futures,” they’re diving into a core derivative market instrument. Nasdaq-100 futures are up 1.3% this week, reflecting optimism around AI-based corporate earnings. Futures pricing is often a forward-looking barometer, hinting at bullish sentiment before the cash market opens.