CenterPoint Securities is a direct-access broker built specifically for active equity traders with a particular emphasis on short selling. It runs an in-house securities lending team, operates the proprietary ATLAS locate route integrated directly into its trading platform, and documents over 100 million shares located monthly. The platform is CenterPoint Pro, built on DAS Trader. The clearing firm is Clear Street, a fintech-backed institution with over $650 million in capital funding.
For a trader who needs reliable short locate access, transparent per-share commissions, platform-level risk controls, and a trading desk staffed by people who understand active trading, CenterPoint is the most purpose-built option available. Traders who do not short at all, and do not need the deep locate infrastructure, will find less differentiation here compared to other DMA brokers.
The account minimum sits at approximately $30,000 based on the CenterPoint Edge Base tier requirement, and no futures trading is offered.
Platform
CenterPoint Pro
CenterPoint Pro is the flagship desktop platform, built on DAS Trader. It is designed exclusively for active traders and covers the full feature set a day trader needs to operate with direct market access.
Charting: Multiple chart types including candlestick, 30+ studies and indicators, drawing tools, advanced indicator settings, fully customizable design, and the ability to display open orders directly on the chart.
Level 2 and Order Entry: A customizable Level 2 window with multiple routing options, real-time streaming data, and time and sales. Orders can be placed directly from the Level 2 montage. NASDAQ TotalView is available as an optional data add-on.
Hot Keys: Fully customizable order tickets and hot key scripts. Buy, sell, replace, cancel, and more can each be assigned to individual keystrokes. CenterPoint’s educational content on hot keys describes them as essential for active traders and covers everything from cancel-all-orders to multi-step conditional orders. The platform supports scaling in and out of positions with pre-configured size increments.
Stock Discovery Tools: Built-in scanners for finding setups in real time. Traders can create custom scanners or use ready-to-use market scanning tools within the platform.
Risk Controls: Max loss per trade and max loss per day limits are configurable inside the platform. When a loss threshold is reached, the system halts further trading automatically. This is broker-enforced, not just a warning. It stops the account from taking further action when the limit is hit. This is a feature most retail and even some direct-access platforms do not include at the broker level.
Integrated Short Locate Tool: The ATLAS locate route and the short locate tool are embedded directly in the platform. Traders request borrows from within the interface without switching to a browser, emailing a desk, or placing a phone call. ETB status indicators display in the platform, and hard-to-borrow locate requests are submitted from the same window used for all other trading activity.
Additional features: basket trading, multiple account management, multiple monitor support, multiple layout support, window linking, custom alerts, options chains, news feeds, fundamental data, and API access.
Compatibility: CenterPoint Pro is Windows-based. Mac users need to install Bootcamp or Parallels to run it. CenterPoint Web, by contrast, works in any browser on any device, including Mac.
Free trial: A 14-day free trial of the platform is available.
CenterPoint Web
CenterPoint Web is the browser-based version of the platform. It provides DAS functionality accessible from any device without a download. It costs $20 per month, with a separate mobile app add-on at $25 per month. The web platform is free for accounts trading 20,000 shares or 100 options contracts per month. Mac users can use this platform natively without any workaround.
Mobile
CenterPoint clients have access to iDASTrader for mobile trading on iOS and Android. The mobile app includes customizable charting, Level 2, account management, advanced orders and routing, and is available on both major platforms.
Platform Fees
| Platform | Monthly Fee | Waiver Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| CenterPoint Pro | $120/month | 250,000 shares or 1,000 options contracts/month |
| CenterPoint Web | $20/month | 20,000 shares or 100 options contracts/month |
| Mobile App (add-on to Web) | $25/month | Not separately waived |
| Mobile App (included with Pro) | Included | N/A |
Market data is available in bundles or a-la-carte and is not included in the platform fee waiver.
Pricing and Commissions
CenterPoint uses a per-share commission structure with no minimum order fees on equities. The full rate schedule:
Equities (Per Share)
| Monthly Share Volume | Rate Per Share |
|---|---|
| Under 500,000 | $0.003 |
| 500,000 to 1 million | $0.0025 |
| 1 million to 5 million | $0.002 |
| 5 million to 10 million | $0.0015 |
| 10 million to 20 million | $0.001 |
| Over 20 million | Call 844-811-0118 |
Commission rates do not include routing and regulatory fees. The initial commission fee tier remains in effect regardless of monthly volumes unless negotiated otherwise. Traders must contact CenterPoint to request a rate change.
Options (Per Contract)
| Monthly Contract Volume | Rate Per Contract |
|---|---|
| Under 10,000 | $0.50 |
| Over 10,000 | $0.40 |
| Over 50,000 | $0.30 |
| Over 100,000 | $0.20 |
Index fees apply separately: SPX Index $0.60 per contract, all other indices $0.40 per contract. Commission rates do not include regulatory fees.
Regulatory Fees
| Fee Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Transaction Fee (SEC) | $0.0000278 per dollar of notional on sale transactions only |
| TAF (FINRA) | $0.000145 per share, $0.01 minimum, $7.27 maximum per sale transaction |
| ORF (Options Regulatory Fee) | $0.0187 per contract on buy and sell options transactions |
| CAT | $0.000046 per share on buy and sell equity transactions |
These rates are set by third parties and are subject to change.
Routing Fees
CenterPoint offers 40+ routing options. The full routing fee schedule is available on the routes page. Notably, the CPGOS smart route, available exclusively to CenterPoint clients, charges no fees for adding or taking liquidity. This is a meaningful cost advantage for traders who route high daily volume. A zero-fee smart route removes the per-share routing charge on those orders entirely while still providing direct market access execution.
Market Data (Additional, Per User Per Month)
| Data Feed | Non-Professional | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Nasdaq Level 1 | $2.00 | $45.00 |
| NYSE, AMEX Level 1 | $6.00 | $65.00 |
| NYSE and NASDAQ Level 2 | $20.00 | $65.00 |
| Pink Sheet Level 1 | $15.00 | $50.00 |
| Pink Sheet Level 2 | $50.00 | $100.00 |
| Options Level 1 | $15.00 | $45.00 |
| Options Level 2 | $50.00 | $75.00 |
| Headline News | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| News Body | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| INET Book (TotalView) | $20.00 | $100.00 |
| ARCA Book | $15.00 | $65.00 |
| IEX Book | $5.00 | $5.00 |
| Fundamentals | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| Trade Signal | $35.00 | $35.00 |
| Imbalance Data (requires TotalView) | $25.00 | $25.00 |
Market data fees are subject to change without notice.
Account Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Buy-ins / Broker Assisted Trades | $0.0095 per share, $20 minimum |
| Domestic Wire | $25 |
| Foreign Wire | $50 |
| Locate Fees | Charged daily |
| Overnight Borrow Rate | Determined by market borrow rates on date of settlement; odd lots rounded up to nearest 100 shares |
| Reorganization Fee | $35.00 per event |
| Forced Margin Sellout | $25 + applicable commission |
| Inactivity Fee | $25.00 per calendar month with no securities transactions |
Interest Rates
| Account Balance | Cash Interest Rate | Margin Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Under $30,000 | 0%* | 5.31%* |
| Over $30,000 | 2.25%* | 5.31%* |
*No interest is paid on the first $30,000 of cash. Day trades are considered settled cash for interest calculations. Rates as of December 15, 2025; subject to change.
Short Selling and Locates
Short selling is the feature that most distinguishes CenterPoint from general-purpose direct-access brokers. The infrastructure behind it is operational, not marketing.
In-house lending team. CenterPoint runs its own securities lending operation rather than depending entirely on external locate services. The why-us page lists “in-house securities lending team” as a core differentiator under Shorts and Locates.
Inventory depth. CenterPoint lists 5,000+ easy-to-borrow symbols and describes locating over 100 million shares monthly across its client base.
ATLAS Locate Route. The ATLAS route is a proprietary integrated short locate tool designed specifically for short sellers. It is accessible to all CenterPoint clients. Pro-tier CenterPoint Edge clients, accounts with $250,000 or more in equity or 250,000 or more monthly shares, gain access to an additional locate route described as having no share limits, designed for high-volume traders who need deep short inventory.
Integrated locate tool. The locate workflow lives inside CenterPoint Pro. Traders request borrows without leaving the platform. ETB status is visible in the Level 2 window. For hard-to-borrow names, the request goes through the same interface used for all other trading activity.
Overnight borrow fees. Overnight borrow rates are determined by market borrow rates on the date of settlement. Odd lots are rounded up to the nearest 100-share increment. The rate is charged daily and reflects current market conditions for each security.
SSR display. Short Sale Restriction status is visible in the platform through the DAS Trader Level 2 window.
The borrow rate for specific securities is not published as a flat schedule. Rates vary by name and market conditions. Traders should confirm current rates on specific hard-to-borrow names before establishing positions. The locate fee is charged separately and daily.
CenterPoint Edge
CenterPoint Edge is a tiered loyalty and benefits program available to all CenterPoint clients at no cost. It provides access to third-party trading tools, commission discounts, free order routes, trading desk support, and other perks based on account equity or monthly share volume.
Tier Eligibility
| Tier | Equity Requirement | Volume Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Base | $30,000 to $100,000 | 0 to 100,000 shares/month |
| Active | $100,000 to $250,000 | 100,000 to 250,000 shares/month |
| Pro | $250,000+ | 250,000+ shares/month |
Eligibility is calculated using a three-month trailing average of both account equity and trading activity. New clients start on the Active tier or higher (based on account equity) for the first three months regardless of volume.
Benefits by Tier
All tiers (Base, Active, Pro) receive:
- Free access to TraderSync (trading journal and AI-powered pattern identification)
- Free access to TrendSpider (charting analytics, dynamic alerts, unusual options activity)
- Free platform access for the first three months
- Access to the CPGOS smart route (no fees for adding or taking liquidity)
- Access to the ATLAS Locate Route
- Trading desk support
- Special event access
- Earn up to 3.00% on idle cash balances above $30,000 (paid daily on overnight cash)
Active and Pro tiers additionally receive:
- Free access to Trade Ideas (real-time AI-backed scanner, alerts, backtesting)
- Free access to Dilution Tracker (small-cap dilution database covering shelf offerings, ATMs, warrants, and convertibles)
- Free access to Benzinga Pro (real-time news and research terminal with audio squawk)
- Free access to Tradervue (trading journal with performance analysis)
Pro tier additionally receives:
- Additional locate route with no share limits
- Commission rate discounts with equity rates as low as $0.001 per share and options rates as low as $0.20 per contract
- Custom rates available upon review
Key Terms
The program costs nothing. CenterPoint covers the cost of third-party tools for qualifying clients. CenterPoint is not affiliated with the partner companies. The program can be changed or discontinued at CenterPoint’s discretion. Platform access fees (beyond the first three months) are billed at standard rates for Base and Active tier clients who do not meet volume thresholds. Clients already paying for one of the free services will receive a new, complimentary account rather than a discount on the existing one.
For accounts with over $1,000,000 in equity or trading more than 1,000,000 shares per month, CenterPoint offers a separate tier with custom terms.
Margin Requirements
CenterPoint applies the following margin requirements:
Long Positions
| Requirement Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Initial Margin | 25% of trade value |
| Maintenance Margin | 30% of market value |
| Reg T | 50% of trade value |
| Leveraged ETFs | Initial requirement × leverage factor |
Short Positions
| Requirement Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Initial Margin | 30% of trade value |
| Reg T (price under $5) | Greater of $2.50 per share or 100% of trade value |
| Reg T (price $5 or above) | Greater of $5 per share or 50% of trade value |
| Maintenance (price under $5) | 100% of market value |
| Maintenance (price under $2.50) | Held at $2.50 per share |
| Maintenance (price over $5) | Greater of $5 per share or 30% of market value |
Cash Accounts (Long or Short)
| Requirement Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Initial Margin | 100% of trade value |
| Maintenance Margin | 100% of market value |
House margin requirements may exceed these rule-based minimums and are subject to change.
Margin Call Types
Exchange Call: Issued when marginable equity falls below exchange requirements. Can be met by cash deposit, liquidation, or appreciation. Buying power is unavailable until the day after the call is satisfied.
House/Maintenance Call: Issued when marginable equity falls below house maintenance requirements. Same resolution options as an Exchange Call.
Initial Call / Fed Reg T: Issued when an opening purchase or short sale using margin does not meet the 50% initial equity requirement. Can be met by liquidation or cash deposit. A third liquidation violation in one year restricts the account for 90 days.
Day Trading Call: Issued when day trade buying power is exceeded. Must be met with a cash deposit only. If unmet by the due date, the account is restricted for 90 days.
Account Security and Clearing
CenterPoint Securities is offered through Clear Street, a fintech firm backed by over $650 million in capital funding. Clear Street is a member of SIPC.
SIPC Coverage: Securities and cash claims up to $500,000 per customer, including up to $250,000 for cash, in the event of broker liquidation.
Excess SIPC Coverage: Clear Street has purchased excess SIPC insurance from Lloyd’s of London (rated A+ by S&P, A by A.M. Best) covering up to $1,900,000 per customer account for cash and $62,500,000 per customer account for securities, in addition to SIPC coverage. The aggregate limit is $250,000,000 across all accounts.
Total protection for a client with net equity above $500,000: up to $62,500,000 for securities and $2,150,000 for cash ($250,000 SIPC + $1,900,000 excess), subject to aggregate limits.
Account Types and Requirements
CenterPoint accepts individual accounts and entity accounts. The entity application requires filling out account forms by hand or digital verification (typed signatures are not accepted), providing identity verification documents, and submitting an operating agreement and articles of formation along with a current address verification document.
Practical account minimum. The CenterPoint Edge Base tier begins at $30,000 in account equity. This is the clearest indicator of the intended minimum account size, though a specific stated minimum deposit is not listed on the pages reviewed.
What CenterPoint does not offer: futures trading is not available. The broker covers equities and options only.
Customer Service
CenterPoint’s why-us page states the team has over 100 years of combined trading experience and maintains completely in-house service teams with rapid phone and email response times.
Contact options include a Schedule a Call feature, which routes prospective and existing clients to an active trading specialist. The site also lists a phone number and email for sales inquiries: 844-811-0118 and sales@centerpointsecurities.com.
The trading desk is staffed by industry professionals who, per CenterPoint’s own Edge program description, “understand the importance and urgency of quality support in the world of active trading.” All service teams are described as in-house, not outsourced.
This is meaningful context. Brokers that outsource customer support to call centers or route all inquiries through automated ticket systems create a category-specific problem for active traders: a trade gone wrong during market hours needs immediate human intervention, not an email queue response the following day.
Bottom Line
CenterPoint Securities is the clearest choice for active equity traders whose strategy includes regular short selling in small-cap stocks. No other broker reviewed on this site combines an in-house lending team, a proprietary integrated locate route, platform-embedded borrow requests, automated max-loss risk controls, and a tiered tool-access program with the same operational focus. The 5.31% margin rate sits between Cobra Trading’s 8% and Interactive Brokers’ 4.14%, which is competitive for the category. The 2.25% interest rate on idle cash above $30,000 is a genuine benefit for accounts that sit with meaningful cash between trades.
The platform limitation is real. CenterPoint Pro is Windows-only, and Mac users who want desktop performance need Bootcamp or Parallels, friction that adds a setup tax before trading even begins. The inactivity fee of $25 per month for accounts with no transactions is a cost floor for traders whose activity varies. And the absence of futures means traders who run equities alongside futures need a separate account elsewhere.
For the trader it is built for, none of that is disqualifying. The locate infrastructure is purpose-built. The risk controls prevent the kind of account-blowing days that destroy newer traders. The Edge program provides tools like Dilution Tracker and Benzinga Pro at no cost to Active and Pro tier clients, and those tools are directly relevant to the small-cap short-selling strategy CenterPoint is designed to support.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- In-house securities lending team with 5,000+ ETB symbols and over 100 million shares located monthly
- ATLAS proprietary locate route integrated directly into CenterPoint Pro; hard-to-borrow requests processed without leaving the platform
- Automated max loss per trade and max loss per day risk controls enforced at the broker level
- CPGOS smart route with no fees for adding or taking liquidity, available to all clients
- 40+ routing options including dark pools, ECNs, and market maker routes
- CenterPoint Edge provides free access to Trade Ideas, Dilution Tracker, Benzinga Pro, Tradervue, TraderSync, and TrendSpider for Active and Pro tier clients
- 5.31% margin rate is competitive relative to most direct-access brokers
- 2.25% interest paid on idle cash above $30,000
- Pro-tier clients receive commission discounts and an additional locate route with no share limits
- 14-day free platform trial available
- Clear Street clearing with Lloyd’s of London excess SIPC coverage up to $62,500,000 in securities per client
Cons:
- CenterPoint Pro is Windows-only; Mac users must install Bootcamp or Parallels for desktop access
- No futures trading
- Account minimum not explicitly stated; practical floor is approximately $30,000 based on Edge Base tier eligibility
- Commission tiers do not automatically adjust based on volume; traders must contact CenterPoint to negotiate rate changes
- $25 monthly inactivity fee for accounts with no transactions
- Overnight borrow rates for individual securities are not published; traders must confirm costs before establishing hard-to-borrow short positions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum deposit at CenterPoint Securities?
CenterPoint does not publish a specific minimum deposit on the pages reviewed. The CenterPoint Edge program’s Base tier begins at $30,000 in account equity, which is the most direct indication of the intended starting account size. Traders interested in opening an account should schedule a call with a CenterPoint specialist to confirm current requirements.
Does CenterPoint Securities offer futures trading?
No. CenterPoint offers equities and options only. Traders who also need futures access will need a separate account at a broker that supports that asset class.
What platforms does CenterPoint Securities offer?
CenterPoint Pro, built on DAS Trader, is the flagship desktop platform for Windows. CenterPoint Web is a browser-based version that works on any device including Mac. Mobile access is available through iDASTrader for iOS and Android. A 14-day platform trial is available before opening an account.
What is the ATLAS Locate Route?
ATLAS is CenterPoint’s proprietary integrated short locate tool, available to all CenterPoint clients. It is embedded in CenterPoint Pro, allowing traders to request borrows on hard-to-borrow stocks without leaving the platform. Pro-tier CenterPoint Edge clients receive access to a second locate route with no share limits, designed for high-volume short sellers.
What is the CenterPoint Edge program?
CenterPoint Edge is a free tiered loyalty program that provides access to third-party trading tools, commission discounts, a zero-fee smart route, locate route access, trading desk support, and 3.00% interest on idle cash. Tiers are Base, Active, and Pro, determined by account equity or monthly share volume using a three-month trailing average. New clients begin at the Active tier or higher for their first three months.
How does CenterPoint handle overnight borrow fees?
Overnight borrow fees at CenterPoint are determined by market borrow rates on the date of settlement. The fee is charged daily on short positions held overnight. Odd lots are rounded up to the nearest 100-share increment for calculation purposes. The rate is not fixed and varies by security and market conditions. Traders should confirm borrow rates on specific securities before holding short positions overnight.
Last Updated: May 2026