Been trading for a while but still get confused about expiration stuff.
When my call options expire in the money, what happens next? Do I get the profit automatically or is there more to it?
Had a few expire recently and want to ensure I understand the process correctly.
Last month my EURUSD call expired at 85% profit and the payout hit my account within minutes automatically.
You don’t need to do anything. The platform checks if you’re in the money and credits your account right after expiration.
I used to refresh my balance obsessively when I started, thinking something was broken when it was just processing normally.
Takes a few minutes after expiration. I made $47 on a gold trade yesterday.
Your profit is calculated automatically based on the payout percentage at expiration. For instance, if your payout was 80% and you risked $10, you’d receive $18 total - your $10 stake plus $8 profit. Settlement is usually quick, within minutes after expiration. There’s no paperwork or claiming to do; the platform takes care of everything once you’re in the money. Always check your payout rate before trading as it influences your actual profit.
The wait for settlement after a big win is pure torture.
Once your call expires ITM, the platform does the math and dumps the profit straight into your balance. My hands were literally shaking after that 90% GBPJPY win last month.
It all happens automatically - you just sit there watching your account balance jump up.
Most brokers manage this for you when your option expires. They will determine your payout based on how deep in the money you finished.
Funds typically arrive quickly after expiration. A small delay can happen during busy market hours, which is normal.
Understanding your broker’s payout structure is important before trading.
Your trade settles automatically when it expires. Profit equals strike difference times payout percentage. Check your account balance after market close for final settlement.