What Is 6C Futures? Full Beginner Breakdown of the Canadian Dollar Contract
6C futures are the standardized futures contract for the Canadian Dollar (CAD/USD). If you want to trade the strength or weakness of the Canadian economy, oil-sensitive CAD flows, or macro USD trends, this is the contract you use. It's cleaner than spot forex, fully regulated, and transparent—no offshore brokers, no games.
How the 6C Contract Actually Works
The 6C contract represents 100,000 Canadian dollars traded against the U.S. dollar. When CAD strengthens relative to USD, 6C goes up. When CAD weakens, the contract drops. It's a straightforward CAD/USD play—no exotic math, no weird conventions.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Contract Size | 100,000 CAD |
| Minimum Tick | 0.0001 |
| Tick Value | $10 per tick |
| Exchange | CME |
| Symbol | 6C |
If you want to compare tick values across currencies, check your 6J Japanese Yen futures breakdown and 6B British Pound overview.
Why Traders Even Bother With 6C
CAD is a “commodity currency,” meaning it tends to track energy markets—especially crude oil. When oil rises, CAD often strengthens because Canada exports a ton of petroleum. When oil tanks, CAD usually follows. That makes 6C a clean macro tool for traders who want directional exposure to both CAD and the oil complex.
Other drivers include:
- Bank of Canada rate decisions
- U.S. economic data (because USD is the quote currency)
- Global risk-on/risk-off flows
- Commodity trends (crude oil is the big one)
Who Should Trade 6C Futures?
6C fits traders who want slower, cleaner moves than 6E or 6J. It's not hyperactive—CAD doesn’t whipsaw like the Yen—but it respects structure and trends. That’s ideal for beginners who want something manageable without the chaos of high-volatility FX crosses.
If you're used to ES or NQ and want to diversify, 6C is simple to understand and moves logically most of the time.
Final Thoughts: Why 6C Matters
6C futures give you a clean way to trade the Canadian Dollar against the U.S. Dollar with real transparency, real liquidity, and simple math. If you understand oil, macro trends, and USD strength cycles, 6C becomes one of the easiest FX futures to navigate. It's a straightforward contract—perfect for building a strong foundation before jumping into more complex currency markets.