Currenex, HotSpotFxi, Lava - Pimps for the Banks? - No Scalpers

Discussion in 'Forex Brokers' started by danger66, Dec 21, 2006.

  1. How long do you normally stay in positions?
     
    #111     Dec 25, 2006
  2. spieler

    spieler

    i have different strategies:

    - based on 4 hours candlesticks so position held between 1hour to 2/3 days

    - scalping held between 10 seconds to 1'
     
    #112     Dec 25, 2006
  3. Hi spieler, I understand that you haven't been banned YET - but what size do you use to scalp right after news? Trade size is an important factor in this equation as well. Larger sizes make a bigger dent in a bank's armor.
     
    #113     Dec 27, 2006
  4. I have been trading with the CX technology for a while now. I go through a White Label provider, since my account is not yet large enough for a Prime Broker. I have spoken with Goldman and FIMAT for Prime Broker services, but I need to raise some more money before I go that route. For now, my WL provider is doing a good job, with great service and a direct line to my rep who ALWAYS answers the phone within a couple of rings. I have had no service issues at all. The cost is reasonable, though I will be renegotiating that shortly, since my volume is picking up. I pay $50 per million. Since most cases I am at 1 pip (or less), I am OK with that fee. I could probably get a provider at $20 per million, but the minimum volume is not there yet and I don't want to push the envelope to get there.

    Regarding the platform: I have used almost everything out there, and in my opinion CX is the only one (that I have used) that truly feels institutional. I have been trading since 1994 and Forex since 2003. I have definitely been robbed, but not on CX. I have spent the last year and a hlaf developing and researching automated strategies. It wasn't until I found CX that I felt comfortable with a scalping type strategy, which I am looking for/developing now.

    During news events, sometimes the prices go crazy for a second or two, with huge spreads, but just from watching you can tell it is a result of banks/traders pulling back and adjusting prices. That is what I expect to happen if something is legit.

    I hope to expand next year into more trading strategies, including adding futures/ETF's to the portfolio. I looked at Redi+ through Goldman, since it handles all asset classes, but I felt for currencies, CX is the best. Therefore, I am extremely pleased that Goldman is now a Prime Broker for CX. That way, you can use CX for FX, X-Trader for Futures, and Redi for Stocks/ETF's, all being cleared with back office ops at GS. Most of the 2nd tier PB's I have found, really want you to execute through them. That is, using their desk. That has obvious benefits. While it is nice for position building to get relationships and a feel for the market, I rarely need to pick up the phone and place an order.

    Wow. Sorry. I really rambled on that one.

    I would love to hear more experiences.
     
    #114     Dec 27, 2006
  5. properfx

    properfx

    danger66

    We have similar setup and concerns. I sent you a PM
     
    #115     Dec 29, 2006
  6. Thanks, I just PM'ed you back.
     
    #116     Dec 29, 2006
  7. Anyone heard from spieler? I'm really interested in knowing the size per clip he uses to scalp right after releases - without getting banned that is.
     
    #117     Jan 3, 2007
  8. I think being kicked out of a broker is due to size more than scalping. I'm only trading 1-5 million and I have no issues with my broker. My broker actually likes me! I'm on a Currenex arrangement and I trade news with software. We are setting up an API on a remote server now to be faster than most people. This forum is pretty cool. I'm used to explaining how everything works to people, but here I'm actually learning. Ha! Feels good to the brain.
    Thanks for the info,
    Jeff
     
    #118     Jan 4, 2007
  9. fxrelease, the Currenex servers are in New York (as explained to me by Currenex) and all orders must go there. Unless your system is fully automated and the orders come from the remote server in close proximity to Currenex's New York server, how do you save time by operating from a remote server?
     
    #119     Jan 4, 2007
  10. Good question! Ha. Since I'm in Nebraska a remote server would save me latency by being located in NY. Ha! Sorry for the brief hysteria. Physical proximity is very important when trading news. If you want to take all the liquidity available on the server you must be close to the server. It is also important to be close to the data feed. And of course both are of equal importance. We have measured everything out to see that NY is the best place to trade in the world.
    We are not fully automated as I prefer to watch a proprietary volume indicator for exits. I have an automated stop and limit which we enter for contingency but I prefer to exit based on my "feel" of the market and the volume indicator's reading of ticks from brokers with 2 pips or less spread.
     
    #120     Jan 4, 2007