Thinkorswim | |
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Available in | English |
Type | Electronic trading platform |
Website | trade |
Thinkorswim is an electronic trading platform owned by Charles Schwab Corporation used to trade financial assets. It is geared for self-directed stock, options and futures traders. [1]
Thinkorswim, Inc. was founded in 1999 by Tom Sosnoff and Scott Sheridan as an online brokerage specializing in options. [2] It was funded by Technology Crossover Ventures. [3] In February 2007, Investools acquired Thinkorswim. [4]
In January 2009, it was acquired by TD Ameritrade in a cash and stock deal valued around $606 million. [5] [6] [7] The final sale amount was $749 million, with 250,000 thinkorswim accounts transferred. [8] At the time, thinkorswim led the industry in the number of retail option trades per day, with Lee Barbra serving as CEO. [9] In 2018, with Thinkorswim, Ameritrade became the first US retail broker-dealer to launch 24/5 trading platforms, which it did through the thinkorswim platforms. [10] In early 2018, thinkorswim also expanded into Hong Kong. [11]
In October 2020, Charles Schwab Corporation acquired TD Ameritrade and the thinkorswim platform became available for Charles Schwab customers. [1] Charles Schwab that month confirmed plans to integrate Thinkorswim into its own tools. [12]
In 2023, Charles Schwab customers were given access to thinkorswim. [1] In 2025, the thinkorswim platform added 24/5 trading on S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 stocks, after testing the feature as a pilot in November 2024. [13]
In 2024, thinkorswim offered "pre- and post-market extended hours trading sessions across its trading platforms. Futures, including options on futures, and forex trading are available to clients with appropriately approved accounts." [10]