Title of this thread says FXCM ECN it should really say FXCM NDD(no dealing desk). There is a big difference between the two the later just means that there is no internal dealing desk and that function has been passed on to the liquidity providers. It seems that FXCM has made a lot folks confused. NDD is one step better than the brokers with dealing desks but is far from ECN which is the fairest model
Here is a somewhat authoritative description of the state of affairs with FXCMs new STP platform. They are an IB for fxcm's Active Trader program and try to connect metatrader, and as such monitor a lot of executions for their clients. Doesn't look too pretty. Late/vanishing fills, fills outside limit-price etc.etc. - it just sounds like good ole FXCM. http://www.atcbrokers.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=54&start=10#p296
What does that mean then, "rouch boy", is it a term of endearment? So anyway, it don't look like the fabulous FXCM-we-won't-fuk-you-three-dimensional-ECN-STP-NDD-real-market model is working too good, damn it's worse than a bucketshop! Can't say I'm that surprised really, after all it's FXCM we're talking about here
not defending fxcm, but there still a major problem with connecting mt-4 with a ecn, atc never realy went fully live with there mt-4 / hotspotfx connections, they only allowed a small number of accounts becuse they still had issue with connecting mt-4 with a ecn platform. problems you heard are thru atc mt-4 platform not with fxcm regular active trader platform.
by the way, I find it awesome that Oanda is offering an unlimited trial. I have nice/free charting capabilities even while being on the road. I would never plug a single penny into this bucket shop, same goes for all other non ECN based brokers. So in that sense I should be grateful to your firm. All others offer 30 day trials ;-)