NinjaTrader announced the launch of its Innovation Lab on September 9, 2026, introducing three AI-driven capabilities designed to help retail futures traders develop strategies and improve trading behavior. The Chicago-based platform unveiled Nina, an AI trading companion; AI Strategy Builder; and a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that integrates AI assistants like Claude and ChatGPT directly with trader accounts.
- Nina: AI companion providing personalized feedback on account activity and trading behavior patterns
- AI Strategy Builder: Converts plain-language strategy descriptions into compiled, testable strategies without coding
- MCP Integration: First dedicated futures trading protocol connecting external AI tools to real-time trading context and market data
- Survey Finding: Majority of 1,500 surveyed traders prioritize strategy development and skill building as top AI use cases
The Innovation Lab addresses a gap in the futures trading market where AI infrastructure has been largely absent, according to Brian Weis, Chief Innovation & AI Officer at NinjaTrader Group. Nina analyzes individual trading tendencies and behaviors, highlighting what works and where discipline can improve, while recommending risk settings. The tool creates a feedback loop enabling traders to build self-awareness and refine decision-making over time.
The MCP server provides significant industry differentiation by giving AI assistants access to real-time positions, account rules, breaking news, and economic events. NinjaTrader-authored trading skills then convert these insights into governed workflows, including pre-trade risk sizing, trade analysis, and post-trade debriefs. AI Strategy Builder removes coding barriers by letting traders describe entry, exit, and risk parameters in conversational language, with the system iteratively refining strategies through discussion.
Retail investors want technology that matches the intensity and seriousness they bring to trading. We created NinjaTrader’s Innovation Lab to accelerate our big bets in trading innovation, including doubling down on areas where AI will give traders the edge to sharpen and scale their strategies.
– Martin Franchi, CEO of NinjaTrader Group
NinjaTrader Group has served approximately 3.9 million users since 2003, offering cloud-based trading technology across desktop, web, and mobile platforms. NinjaTrader Clearing is a CFTC-registered futures commission merchant and NFA member.
Brian Weis, Chief Innovation & AI Officer at NinjaTrader. Source: LinkedIn
Martin Franchi, CEO of NinjaTrader. Source: LinkedIn
