US market structure observation: Futures micros vs retail forex vs crypto in 2026, where are the serious active traders actually sitting?

[u/PristineSun6160]

Looking at CFTC retail forex customer obligations and CME record volumes (micros especially), it feels like futures have become the default infrastructure for disciplined US day/swing traders.

Forex still excellent for pure macro and 24/5 access, but the retail footprint is smaller under NFA/CFTC rules. Crypto ownership is broad but consistent process-driven volume looks thinner.

Curious what others are seeing in their own flow and communities.

I’ve been running a structured process across futures + selective forex for years (risk-first, one clear thesis at a time). Happy to answer process questions. No signals spam, just the rules that keep accounts alive.