New Delhi, April 2 -- Even as the markets regulator took a slew of measures to curb the retail frenzy in options trading, it turns out that individuals participating only in the futures and options (F&O) segment of NSE comprise less than a fifth of those who traded in derivatives last fiscal.

The data implies that a significant portion of retail investors participating in the F&O segment have the experience of dealing in the equities cash segment. And, a small bunch trading only F&O may be the newer entrants looking to make quick gains.

About 2.1 million traded solely in the F&O segment out of a total of 10.8 million individuals who participated in derivatives trading in 12 months through February 2025, shows NSE data. About 8.7 million...