#quick funding prop firms

[yvonhduffet]

Understanding the Working Model of Forex Prop Trading Firms

Most of the passionate people in trading know prop businesses but may need to learn exactly what they do. Property trading firms, or prop firms for short, are niche businesses that invite experienced traders to use their trading abilities on behalf of the company. Prop trading is distinguished from traditional trading by this special structure, which gives traders several benefits and chances in the financial sector.

Essentially, a prop trading company is a financial marketplace that provides funds to knowledgeable traders to trade stocks, commodities, and currencies, among other financial instruments. Through this extract, we intend to clear up the mystery surrounding prop trading and offer a thorough grasp of how it operates within the dynamic context of financial markets.

Business Model of Forex Prop Trading Firms 

Capital Allocation and Proprietary Trading Desk: 

Forex Prop Trading Companies differentiate themselves from one another based on the capital they offer their dealers. Capital allocation, which allows traders to profit from huge amounts of money above their own capital, is the cornerstone of their business plan. The best forex prop trading firms thoroughly assess risk before disbursing cash to traders.

These assessments consider the trader's approach, prior performance, and additional variables. Based on this evaluation, the company determines how much cash to provide each trader, ensuring that the strategy remains balanced and risk-controlled. Prop trading firms use the profit-sharing model in return for the provided funds. Traders do this by contributing a percentage of their profits to the business.

Trading Strategies and Risk Management: 

Exclusive Trading in Forex Businesses uses a wide variety of trading techniques to take advantage of the existing market opportunities and turn it into a profit. Some of the most important trading tactics and risk management techniques these organizations use are statistical arbitrage, high-frequency trading, algorithmic trading, and quantitative strategies. Using sophisticated algorithms and fast data feeds, high-frequency trading allows for the execution of several deals in a matter of milliseconds. Using predefined algorithms to carry out trading strategies is known as algorithmic trading.

These algorithms can examine market data, spot trends, and automatically execute trades by preset parameters. Statistical analysis and mathematical frameworks are used to find trading opportunities in the quantitative trading process. Finding and taking advantage of arithmetic correlations between various financial instruments is the process of statistical arbitrage. By employing this tactic, traders hope to profit from transient disparities in price or mispricing among connected assets. You can control your earnings and losses more with a very successful risk management strategy.

Technology and Tools: 

The capacity of Forex Prop Trading Organizations to utilize advanced technologies and apply skillful instruments to maneuver through the intricacies of the financial markets is critical to their success. Discover in this article how these companies' operations rely heavily on technology such as data analytics, trading algorithms, direct market access (DMA), etc. Large volumes of market data are processed in real-time by these companies using sophisticated analytics techniques.

Traders can obtain important insights that guide their trading methods by looking at past data and detecting patterns. Prop businesses use several trading tactics, one of which is algorithmic trading. These systems automate the execution of trades based on predefined conditions using intricate algorithms. A "direct market access" technique enables traders to communicate with financial markets directly and eliminates the need for middlemen. Forex Prop Trading Firms use DMA to provide quick and effective order execution by executing transactions with the least delay.

Regulatory Framework: 

Similar to other financial operations, prop trading is subject to several laws and rules that are designed to maintain market stability, equitable treatment, and transparency. Prop trading rules differ from nation to nation, but they are always intended to balance encouraging financial innovation with discouraging actions that would endanger the system. For instance, the US Dodd-Frank Act has placed several limitations on prop trading, especially for commercial banks. The purpose of these restrictions is to restrict trading activity that carries a high risk of destabilizing the financial system.

The minimum capital requirements for forex prop trading firms are frequently outlined in regulations. Regulators seek to improve the overall stability of the financial system and lower the danger of insolvency by setting minimum capital limits. Regulations also require prop trading companies to use effective risk management techniques, such as defining profit goals and using complex techniques like volatility/merger arbitrage to reduce risk. The execution of trading methods by forex proprietary trading firms is mostly dependent on prop traders. It is essential for a prop trader to be be clear about the legal and regulatory landscape in which they operate.

Success Factors and Challenges 

The best Forex prop firms rely on a number of variables to be successful, including personnel management, technology, technological adaptation, good risk management, and strategic alliances. Prop businesses must address the difficulties of market saturation, liquidity constraints, technology risks, market volatility, talent retention, and regulatory compliance to succeed in the competitive and constantly changing world of forex trading.

The reason being that forex markets are dynamic, there is a chance that prices would observe fluctuations quickly and unexpectedly. In order to overcome increased volatility, best prop firms for forex need to have strong risk management methods. Businesses that rely heavily on technology run the risk of experiencing cybersecurity attacks and system malfunctions. Strong cybersecurity safeguards, regular monitoring, and upgrades are necessary to mitigate these dangers.

Conclusion 

Navigating the intricacies of financial markets requires a thorough understanding of the Forex Proprietary Trading Firms operating model. It involves more than just making profitable trades; it also involves understanding the bigger picture, including subtle regulatory differences, new technological developments, and risk management techniques.

Prop traders need to be aware of the legal and regulatory landscape, the value of utilizing technology, and the crucial role they play in the success of their companies, regardless of their level of experience. The robustness and success of the larger financial ecosystem are strengthened by ongoing education and interaction with the complex components of Forex Proprietary Trading Firms.

[amgracy]

Discover the One Step Prop Firm – a streamlined solution for traders seeking capital without complex evaluation processes. With a single-step funding model, this firm provides traders with quick access to trading capital, allowing them to focus on what they do best. More: https://www.thetalentedtrader.com/one-step-prop-firm/

#onesteppropfirm #trading #forextrading #fundedtraderprograms #proptrading #usa #newyork #instantfundingpropfirm #passpropfirm #propfirms #propfirmchallenge #instantfunding #thetalentedtrader

[ataurrahman1313]

Prop Firm Service : Quick Funding Explained!

[ahmadmahir1407]

Prop Firm Service : Quick Funding Explained!

[mazhara06]

Prop Firm Service : Quick Funding Explained!

[propw]

Exploring Futures Prop Trading Firms and Opportunities

Understanding Futures Prop Trading

Futures prop trading, short for proprietary trading, involves trading futures contracts using a firm's own capital rather than client funds. This type of trading allows firms to take significant positions in various futures markets, such as commodities, financials, and indices, aiming for high returns based on market analysis and strategies. Prop trading firms often attract skilled traders who are experienced in leveraging market movements for profit.

The Role of Futures Prop Trading Firms

Futures prop trading firms play a crucial role in the financial markets by providing the necessary liquidity and market depth. These firms employ professional traders who use sophisticated strategies and tools to trade futures contracts. Unlike traditional trading firms that may trade on behalf of clients, a futures prop trading firm invests its own capital to generate returns. This setup aligns the firm's interests with those of its traders, as both parties benefit from successful trading outcomes.

Benefits of Joining a Futures Prop Trading Firm

One of the primary advantages of working with a futures prop trading firm is the opportunity to trade with substantial capital without the need for personal investment. This arrangement allows traders to focus on strategy and performance, as they are not constrained by personal financial limitations. Additionally, these firms often provide access to advanced trading platforms, research tools, and mentorship, which can significantly enhance a trader's skills and profitability.

How Futures Prop Trading Firms Operate

Futures prop trading firms typically operate on a revenue-sharing model, where traders receive a percentage of the profits they generate. This model motivates traders to perform at their best, as their earnings are directly linked to their trading success. The firms also manage risk through various strategies, including diversification and position sizing, to mitigate potential losses and protect their capital.

Challenges and Considerations

While futures prop trading offers lucrative opportunities, it also comes with challenges. Traders must navigate volatile markets and make quick decisions based on market analysis and data. The pressure to perform can be intense, as the success of trading strategies impacts both the trader's earnings and the firm's overall profitability. As such, it's essential for traders to stay informed, continuously improve their skills, and adhere to disciplined trading practices.

Futures prop trading firms provide an exciting environment for traders looking to leverage their skills in the futures markets. By offering access to substantial capital and advanced resources, these firms enable traders to focus on executing effective strategies. For more information on opportunities and resources related to futures prop trading, visit propw.com.

[tradingtips]

Unlock Trading Success: The Ultimate Guide to Instant Funding Prop Firms

In the ever-evolving landscape of trading, instant funding prop firms have emerged as a game-changer. But what exactly are they, and why are they so significant in the trading world? Let's dive in and explore this fascinating topic.

Understanding Prop Firms

What is a Prop Firm?

A prop firm, short for proprietary trading firm, is a financial company that invests its own capital in trading. Unlike traditional firms that manage client funds, best prop firms leverage their own resources, taking on the risk and reward themselves.

History and Evolution of Prop Firms

Prop trading has its roots in the early days of Wall Street, where firms employed skilled traders to maximize their profits. Over time, this model has evolved, incorporating advanced technologies and diverse financial instruments, making prop firms more dynamic and accessible.

What is Instant Funding?

Explanation of Instant Funding

Instant funding refers to the immediate provision of capital to traders by prop firms. This model allows traders to start trading without the usual lengthy vetting process associated with traditional funding methods.

How it Differs from Traditional Funding

Traditional funding often involves rigorous evaluations, capital commitments, and long waiting periods. Instant funding, on the other hand, bypasses these hurdles, offering traders quick access to funds based on their trading potential and performance.

Advantages of Instant Funding Prop Firms

Quick Access to Capital

One of the biggest draws of instant funding prop firms is the speed at which traders can access capital. This allows traders to seize market opportunities without delay.

Flexibility in Trading

These firms provide significant flexibility, allowing traders to employ various strategies without being tied down by stringent rules or substantial personal capital.

Low-Risk Opportunities

For many traders, the risk is a significant barrier. Instant funding prop firms mitigate this by sharing the risk, providing a safety net that encourages more bold and innovative trading approaches.

How Instant Funding Prop Firms Operate

Funding Process

The funding process in these firms is streamlined. Traders typically go through one step evaluation prop firm period, after which they receive immediate capital to start trading.

Requirements for Traders

While requirements can vary, most firms look for traders with a proven track record, a sound trading strategy, and a clear understanding of trading risk management.

Performance Evaluations

Regular performance evaluations are conducted to ensure traders meet specific benchmarks. These evaluations help both the trader and the firm align their strategies for mutual success.

Popular Instant Funding Prop Firms

Overview of Top Firms

Several firms stand out in the instant funding space, each offering unique benefits. Some of the most popular include FTMO, TopstepTrader, and MyForexFunds.

Comparison of Their Offerings

The Talented Trader: Known for its comprehensive evaluation process and generous profit splits.

TopstepTrader: Focuses on futures trading and offers extensive educational resources.

MyForexFunds: Provides a range of account types and flexible funding options.

How to Choose the Right Prop Firm

Factors to Consider

When selecting a prop trading firms, consider factors like the funding amount, profit split, evaluation process, and support services. It's essential to choose a firm that aligns with your trading style and goals.

Questions to Ask

What is the evaluation process like?

How much capital can I access initially?

What are the performance benchmarks?

Are there any hidden fees?

Requirements to Join an Instant Funding Prop Firm

Skills Needed

Successful traders typically possess strong analytical skills, discipline, and a deep understanding of market dynamics.

Trading Experience

While some firms welcome beginners, having prior trading experience can significantly boost your chances of securing funding and succeeding.

Financial Prerequisites

Most firms require a small initial fee to cover the evaluation process. This fee is usually nominal compared to the potential funding amount.

Trading Strategies for Success

Recommended Trading Strategies

Strategies like day trading, swing trading, and scalping are popular among prop traders. Each strategy requires a different approach and level of expertise.

Risk Management Tips

Effective risk management is crucial. Techniques like setting stop-loss orders, diversifying trades, and keeping a trading journal can help mitigate losses and maximize profits.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Dealing with Performance Pressure

Performance pressure is a common challenge. To manage this, set realistic goals, maintain a positive mindset, and avoid overtrading.

Overcoming Trading Losses

Trading losses are inevitable. The key is to learn from them, adapt your strategy, and stay disciplined to bounce back stronger.

The Role of Technology in Instant Funding

Technological Advancements

Technology plays a pivotal role in modern prop trading. Advanced algorithms, AI, and real-time data analytics empower traders to make informed decisions swiftly.

Use of Trading Platforms

Prop firms often provide state-of-the-art trading platforms, offering tools and resources that enhance trading efficiency and effectiveness.

Instant Funding vs. Traditional Prop Trading

Key Differences

Instant funding offers faster access to capital and fewer barriers to entry compared to traditional prop firm trading, which often involves extensive evaluations and higher initial capital requirements.

Pros and Cons of Each

Instant Funding: Pros include quick access and lower risk. Cons might include less comprehensive support and training.

Traditional Prop Trading: Pros include thorough training and higher potential funding. Cons involve longer waiting times and higher initial costs.

Case Studies

Success Stories

Many traders have found success with instant funding prop firms. For example, a trader might secure $100,000 in capital after a brief evaluation and quickly double it through strategic trading.

Lessons Learned from Failed Attempts

On the flip side, some traders fail due to poor risk management or lack of discipline. These cases highlight the importance of a solid strategy and emotional control.

Future of Instant Funding Prop Firms

Emerging Trends

The industry is evolving with trends like AI-driven trading, decentralized finance (DeFi) integrations, and more personalized trader support services.

Predictions for the Industry

Experts predict continued growth for instant funding prop firms, with increasing accessibility and more innovative funding solutions becoming the norm.

Conclusion

Instant funding prop firms are revolutionizing the trading world, offering traders quick access to capital and low-risk opportunities. By understanding how these firms operate and what they offer, traders can make informed decisions and capitalize on the benefits they provide.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q. What is the typical funding amount provided by instant funding prop firms?

The typical funding amount varies but usually ranges from $10,000 to $200,000, depending on the trader's experience and the firm's evaluation process.

Q. Can beginners join an instant funding prop firm?

Yes, some firms welcome beginners, although having some trading experience can increase your chances of success.

Q. How do instant funding prop firms make money?

These firms make money through profit splits with traders, evaluation fees, and sometimes through spreads and commissions on trades.

Q. What happens if I don't meet the trading performance requirements?

If performance requirements aren't met, traders might lose access to their funding or face reevaluation. Some firms offer second chances or retraining programs.

Q. Are there any hidden fees in instant funding prop firms?

While most firms are transparent about their fees, it's essential to read the fine print to ensure there are no unexpected charges.

Blog Source: Unlock Trading Success: The Ultimate Guide to Instant Funding Prop Firms

[creativeblogwritingideas]

Unleashing the Secrets of Profitable Prop Trading: A Beginner's Guide

In the fast-paced world of finance, proprietary trading, or prop trading, stands out as a lucrative avenue for individuals seeking financial independence. If you're a beginner looking to navigate the complex realm of prop trading, this guide will serve as your compass, unlocking the secrets to profitable endeavors.

Understanding Prop Trading

Proprietary trading involves financial institutions or individuals trading stocks, bonds, currencies, commodities, or other financial instruments with the firm's own money, rather than clients' funds. It's a unique and dynamic approach to the markets that can yield significant returns when approached with the right strategies.

Getting Started: The Basics

1. Educate Yourself:

Before diving in, equip yourself with knowledge. Understand market trends, trading terminologies, and the factors influencing asset prices.

2. Risk Management is Key:

Prop trading involves risk, but effective risk management can mitigate potential losses. Learn to set stop-loss orders and diversify your portfolio wisely.

3. Choose the Right Platform:

Selecting a reliable trading platform is crucial. Look for one that aligns with your goals and provides essential tools for analysis.

Strategies for Success

4. Trend Following:

Identify and follow existing market trends. This strategy involves riding the momentum and can be particularly rewarding for beginners.

5. Arbitrage Opportunities:

Keep an eye out for price differences in different markets and capitalize on them for profit. Arbitrage is a sophisticated yet effective prop trading strategy.

6. Statistical Arbitrage:

Use quantitative analysis and algorithms to identify patterns and execute trades. This data-driven approach can enhance your decision-making process.

The Role of Technology

7. Algorithmic Trading:

Embrace the power of algorithms to automate your trading. Algorithmic trading enables quick execution and takes emotions out of the equation.

Best Prop Trading Firms

When venturing into prop trading, aligning yourself with the best firms can significantly impact your success. Some of the best prop trading firms boast impressive track records, state-of-the-art technology, and comprehensive training programs. These firms include names like Jane Street, SIG (Susquehanna International Group), and DRW (DRW Trading Group).

Conclusion

Embarking on a prop trading journey as a beginner may seem daunting, but with the right knowledge and strategies, the potential for profitable outcomes is within reach. Remember, continuous learning, disciplined execution, and staying abreast of market trends are keys to success. As you venture forth, consider the best prop trading firms to enhance your trading experience and increase your chances of financial prosperity.

[cducation]

Once the validation of my two phases and six days of serious buying and selling, I receive an email saying which i used a technique based on high frequency investing whilst all trades ahead of the information are handbook. I mail an electronic mail into the chat, their help and my account manager with no answer due to the fact a week.

I have furnished a screenshot as proof of payment. They only preserve marking guidance tickets as solved and telling me I have to upload proof of payment. I would by no means deal Using these fellas once more

Disorders for Participation in Traders Contests: Genuine proprietors maintain this sort of occasions utilizing demo accounts and never the actual types. In contests on genuine investing accounts, There's a possibility of not having back the money deposited by anybody Buying and selling with no prize.

A trader need to not loose in excess of 12% of beginning fairness. This selection is static and doesn't Adhere to the equity from the account.

The only real reason of Funded Following is to choose your money and tire you out with quite possibly the most incompetent assist ive at any time encountered. I did some research and understood their Dependable pilot reviews are all faux/paid out experiences.

This cookie is indigenous to PHP apps. The cookie is used to shop and discover a end users' special session ID for the goal of controlling consumer session on the web site. The cookie is actually a session cookies and is deleted when all the browser Home windows are closed.

A trader need to enter or execute a trade after every day for three days a week. There are no most boundaries to this rule.

A trader need to not unfastened much more than twelve% of setting up fairness. This amount is static and won't Keep to the equity of the account.

Quick product does not have any targets to qualify traders for bonus. A trader is likely to make twelve% of all income designed over the account.

.., no person will be there that prop review will help you. When you Get in touch with help desk they immediate you to speak to your account supervisor, Whilst you account manager is not any the place to generally be viewed.

OneUp Trader supplies a unique prop trading application for investors that makes it easier to get in to the sector. OneUp associates with multiple prop trading firms in order to warranty buying and selling funds that can be as high as $250,000. 

I've opened a assistance ticket along with a staff members named Esla assisted me. Without having one hour I have acquired my funded account.

Most traders have a difficulty with moving into the marketplaces simply because they deficiency the funds required to choose pitfalls and see large returns. This can be why traders turn to Trade the Pool. Trade the Pool does a lot more than provide you with the cash you need to get into prop buying and selling. Trade the Pool also:

which I finally obtained what was as a result of me. their nicely-structured strategy for reclaiming me out.

[analyzingalpha]

Best Prop Firms with Instant Funding [March 2023]

Are you a skilled trader seeking quick capital access? Many prop firms require passing a challenge or trading on a demo before funding- but not all! Expert or novice, instant funding boosts trading success. Choosing a prop firm offering instant ... Read more

[mypoisonedvine]

Sessions with August | August Walker x Reader -- Chapter 1

This is something I’ve been working on for a while with my bestie @nuns-and-roses​!  We will be posting some future chapters from her blog so give her a follow for more of this (and also lots of amazing fics).

Summary: As a CIA psychiatrist, most of your clients are aggressive, intimidating, maybe even a little threatening.  But none of them are quite like August Walker.  You were trained to trust your gut and remove yourself from any situation that made you uncomfortable.  If you had followed that training, maybe you could’ve saved yourself from the twisted world he planned to bring you into…

Word Count: 3k

Warnings: mentions/descriptions of childhood abuse; no smut in this chapter but there will be eventual non-con/heavy dub con and lots of dark themes like manipulation, gaslighting, stalking, etc.  Discretion is advised.

Session 1 - October 9th 

You only had five minutes between sessions each day, and it was a very important time.  As a psychiatrist seeing patients, there is limited time to oneself.  Your patients become a part of you, and you assume an identity at work that often follows you home.

Reserved, kind, patient.  Every single word, every movement, was an act.  And it's not that you were really lying or manipulating your patients, it's just that you had to close off most of yourself to them.  It was how both of you were protected.

In five minutes, you had time to step out of that persona while you sorted your files and grabbed a quick snack.  You contemplated between a granola bar or clementine, eventually choosing the latter, though you had to wash your hands to get off the sticky residue of the acidic peel.

As you washed your hands, you contemplated yourself in the mirror.  You had put a lot of thought into your look for this persona.  To save time and energy, you wore the same thing every day: your closet was all black pencil skirts, white button-downs and black blazers, with only a little space for your off-work clothing (which never got much use).  In winter you added thick stockings to keep from freezing during the walk to and from your car, but otherwise it remained the same.  Even the jewelry-- freshwater pearl studs and a dainty gold tennis bracelet-- remained the same, along with your beloved pair of Italian leather heels which weren't so high that you felt overdressed, but just high enough that you felt taller, and perhaps a bit sexy though you knew that shouldn't matter.

The goal was to look neutral, to not have your appearance distract in any way.  To blend in.  It had actually been sort of difficult to perfect one makeup look that you could put on quickly before work, but you'd managed.  Your hair was probably what you spent the most time on each morning, since it had to be pulled back pretty tight and you wanted every single hair to be in place.

Checking the clock, you saw that it was about time to call in your next appointment.  It was a new patient, a somewhat recent recruit that had already garnered a bit of a reputation.  From what you'd heard he was incredibly ambitious to the point of being a bit cutthroat.  What the rumors had failed to mention, you realized as you opened the door to guide him in from the waiting room, was that he was hot.  And not just "hey, good for you!" hot, but "how am I expected to get any work done in these conditions?!" hot.  You introduced yourself with a firm handshake and tried not to think about the size of his hands or the strength of his grip.

"Mr. Walker, please, have a seat," you encouraged, motioning to the room.

"Which one?" he asked, noticing the menagerie of chairs and sofas in your office.

"Ah, yes, this may be strange if you're used to a more... clinical space," you nodded.  "Sit wherever you'd like.  Whatever looks most comfortable to you."

He examined his options and seemed to be putting more thought to it than most did.

"This is a test, isn't it?  You want to see what kind of person I am by what I pick?" 

You laughed.  "No, I just want you to have options."

He settled for a high back chair which normally made people look kind of short but his body barely fit into it.  He made it look like a toy chair for a child.

"Is that your final answer?" you asked with a smile.

"I knew it was a test," he frowned.

"It's really not," you laughed, "I just want you to be comfortable."

"Tell me what it says about me.  What do you know because I picked this chair?" he demanded, apparently not believing you that it wasn't a test.

"What do you think it says about you?" you asked instead.

He thought about that for a second.  "I guess I'm probably more… structured than the guy who picks the bean bag.  More formal."

You nodded. "That makes sense."

"Who picks the bean bag anyway?" he smirked.

"Almost no one picks the bean bag."

He smiled, and it looked a little rehearsed.  But it was only the first day, so maybe he would open up over time.

“What are we supposed to do in here?” he asked, looking around as if he was expecting something he could see to explain therapy: did he think you were going to give him shocks or something?

“Well, that’s sort of up to you, Mr. Walker.  The goal of these sessions is really just for you to have time each week that you can spend however you’d like.”

“Really?  I could just come in here and read a book or whatever?”

“Yes, although I can’t promise you that would be the best use of your time.”

“Could I clean my gun?” he pressed.

You tried not to have a strong reaction.  Then again, that could describe a lot of your sessions.  “I personally would prefer that you didn’t, to be honest.” He smirked. “Don’t tell me you’re afraid of guns.”

“No, I’m not,” you answered honestly, “but I think it’s better for you if this time feels distinct from your work.  I know that can be difficult since this is happening through your work and is being funded by your work and we work in different wings of the same building…”

“I don’t need time away from my job.  I love my job.” “I’m glad to hear that.  I love my job, too, but I would have to say that it is important to my health that I get some time separate from that.”

“Your job is way worse than mine,” he grinned.

“Really?” you smiled back. “A lot of people would say my job is easy.”

“Listening to these crazies bitch all day?  I’d lose my mind,” he chuckled.

“Who said I hadn’t lost mine?” you smirked.

//

Session 2 - October 16th

“You’re wearing the same thing as last time,” he noticed instantly.  It usually took a few sessions for someone to notice.  Had he really spent so much time looking at you that he remembered what you’d worn?

“Yes, I am,” you agreed.

“Lucky coincidence?” he asked.

“No, I actually wear the same clothes every day,” you corrected.  He gave you a confused look.  “It saves me time in the morning.”

“That’s it?  You wear the same outfit every single day, just to save time in the morning?”

You looked to the ground, questioning how honest you should get.  But how could you expect him to be honest with you if you couldn’t open up in this one little way?

“Clothing is a form of self-expression, and these sessions aren’t about expressing my self,” you explained.  “I’d hate for my clothing choices to become a distraction.”

He looked you up and down and you felt more observed than you preferred to be. 

“What you’re wearing now is plenty distracting on its own,” he said darkly.

You shifted in your seat.  You felt very observed, more than you preferred to be.

“I’m… sorry to hear that,” you awkwardly replied.

“Don’t be sorry,” he shrugged.

“What… what were we talking about before?” you asked awkwardly.  

//

Session 3 - October 23rd

“Good afternoon,” you smiled, extending your hand for a handshake.  Why did you feel a little awkward when he shook your hand in return?  “How are you doing?”

“I’m alright, thanks for asking,” he smiled.  “How about you?”

“Well, thank you,” you answered warmly, taking your seat.  “So, what do you want to talk about today?”

“I dunno,” he shrugged.

“Well, it’s up to you to guide the discussion wherever you want it to go.”

“What do the superiors think we should be talking about?” he asked, sounding a little incredulous.

“Do you think I get notes from your managers on what to discuss with you?”

“I… sort of assumed,” he admitted.

“I don’t.  This is your time.  Use it however you’d like.”

The way he looked at you made you wonder if he was going to take that a little too seriously.

“I guess you want me to talk about my traumatic childhood or something?” 

“Well, if you’d like to…”

August looked at where his shoe was propped over his other knee, bouncing it as if he was nervous.

“It’s only our second session,” you dismissed.

“Right, right,” he responded, sounding like he was deep in thought.  “I don’t want to burden you…”

“Burden?  August, never worry about that.  It’s my job.  I’m here to help you.”

He looked up at you again, something broken and hollow in his expression.  “It’s… upsetting.”

“Try me.”

He took a shaky breath, rubbing his hands together.  You furrowed your brow at the complete 180 in his body language. 

“Well,” he began slowly, “I always knew something was wrong when I was a kid.  I knew that that wasn’t how things were supposed to be, even if it was the only thing I’d ever known.”

He narrowed his eyes like he was thinking, then glanced over to the window.

“I knew there wasn’t supposed to be blood on the walls,” he recalled with a shockingly-neutral expression, “I knew there was something wrong…”

You nodded but said nothing, wanting to let him finish this train of thought before you contributed.

“My mother…” he continued, his voice getting darker, “she was troubled, I suppose.  She hated me.  I don’t know what I did that made her hate me so much.  She was good at putting on a face for other people, hiding my cuts and bruises so people wouldn’t ask questions.  But in those days, no one was really asking questions anyway.  Children were property, and women were always doing right by their children no matter what they did.”

You waited for the silence to steep for a while before you commented.  “That sounds… terrible,” you replied quietly, “I’m so sorry.”

“Thank you,” he responded with a curt nod.

“Where was your father in all this?”

“Who knows?”

“He wasn’t in the picture,” you presumed.

“No, he lived with us.  He just… wasn’t there.  I guess he didn’t see anything wrong with it.  She always had dinner ready on the table when he got home, and past that, he barely even acknowledged my existence.  I guess he trusted her to raise me.  I tried to tell him a few times, but he just told me to respect my mother.  He just wanted me to leave him alone.”

“Do you have any memories of time alone with your father?”

“No,” he said like he was realizing it for the first time.  “No, I don’t think I was ever alone with my father.”

You decided to let that one sit, hoping to let him continue without you prompting him.

“Every day was hell with her,” he finally added after a moment.  “It was always something.  No matter what I did, I had always done something wrong.  She didn’t always beat me… sometimes she would burn spices and blow the smoke in my face.  Sometimes she would make me kneel on uncooked rice.  Mostly it was just beatings, though.  I lost a lot of my teeth early because of it.  And I’m still deaf in this ear,” he explained, motioning to his left ear.

“Wow,” you whispered.  “Did no one ever stick up for you?  Nobody ever questioned your injuries, like a doctor, maybe?”

“I didn’t see a doctor until I was an adult,” he laughed coldly.  “She didn’t believe in that.  She thought it was all part of the mind, I think-- that every health problem was just an outward reflection of all my inner faults.  Thankfully, I never came down with anything too serious.  She was always able to nurse me back to health, even when I got what I realize now was almost certainly pneumonia.”

“Was she more caring when you were ill?”

“Not exactly a warm-and-fuzzy type, but yes, she was gentler.  She didn’t beat me until I was well again.”

“How generous,” you groaned with an eyeroll.

“I know, but you learn to appreciate the little things,” he explained. “You must have clung to any affection from adults that you could,” you offered.

“Yes, I did.”

“That seems like a reasonable response.”

“Yes…” he repeated, something darker crossing his tone, “but it can be dangerous, chasing down affection…”

You shuddered a little, but suppressed it.  You wanted to explore that statement more, but a glance at the clock revealed you didn’t have even close to enough time to dig into it.  

“Sounds like something we can pick up with next week,” you said lightly.

“Oh, is it already time?”

“Getting close to it,” you nodded.  “I don’t want to cut you off or anything.  This has been really productive.  I feel like I’m getting to know you better.”

“Yeah,” he smiled, “ditto.”

“And before we wrap up, I just want to say a few things, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course, go ahead.”

“First, thank you for sharing this with me.”  

He nodded in acknowledgement.

“Second, I want to tell you that you didn’t do anything to make your mother hurt you like that.  There’s nothing you could’ve done to justify that… you were a child.  You were her child.  She was supposed to take care of you, and she didn’t.  And it wasn’t because you did something wrong, but simply because there are awful, evil, sick people in this world who do terrible things to innocent people.”

He looked taken aback by that.  “Nobody’s innocent.”

That wasn’t the response you expected.  Most people hear “it’s not your fault” and brush it away, say that they know that even if they don’t, say that they’ve heard it all before.  Had August not heard this before?  Was this the first time someone was responding this way?  Worse, was this the first time he’d told someone at all?

“August, you were a child.  You were innocent.”

He nodded, but didn’t seem super convinced.

“And, lastly,” you finished with a sigh, “does this time next week work for you?”

//

Sometimes, you just have that itch in your brain, and you need to scratch it.  On your way to your car from your office, you found yourself taking a detour to the records office, and leaning on the desk of the receptionist there.

“Good evening, Melissa,” you greeted.

“Oh, hey!” she smiled back from behind her computer.  “What’s up?”

“Could you get me anything you have on August Walker?”

“You should be able to access that already--”

“No, that’s just from his time in Operations.  He used to work in Support.”

“Really?”

“Um, yeah.  Can you… get me that file?”

“Yeah, sure.  ...Looks like he had another psychiatrist then, too.  I think they had a mandated intake interview back then.”

“Makes sense.”

“I’ve got some tapes here.”

You laughed a little when she actually handed you literal cassettes.  “Oh, you mean tapes.  I assumed it was digital.”

“Not this far back.”

You slipped the tape into your car’s tape player on your drive home.  Perks of having a shitty old car.

So, tell me, August, the calm male voice of the retired Dr. Newbury began, what inspires your interest in the CIA?  

I have a talent.  I want it to get some use.

What do you mean when you say ‘talent’?

I can do things other people can’t.  And I don’t mean physically, although I suppose that’s true, too.  What I mean is, I can tolerate things other people can’t.  I can survive things other people can’t.  There’s something about people that makes them… sensitive.  Reactive.  I don’t think I have that.  I don’t feel things the way other people do.

And you don’t see that as a weakness?

I think I did, once.  But I realize now that it’s my greatest strength.  I have a sense of… peace, that most people can only dream of.  

Peace?  Is that something that’s important to you?

Isn’t it important to everyone?

That’s fair.  Where do you think that sense of peace comes from?

Is it time to dig into my childhood, Doc?

You shivered at how similar it sounded to his own discussion with you, even when he was clearly so much younger.

I suppose.

Are you one of those people who thinks peace can only come from suffering?

Let’s not talk about me.

Well, I think that suffering is overrated.  My childhood, since you’re dying to know, was fine.  Simple.  Something in me is… missing, maybe, but it wasn’t stolen.  My mom was sweet-- the kind of person who would bake a pie and leave it in the windowsill to cool.  Always at social functions, always showing me off.  

And your father?

Quiet.  Stern, never cruel.  I mean, he would discipline me when I did something wrong-- but that’s not cruelty, that’s love, isn’t it?

You could say that.

Then sure, my father loved me.

Is that the only way your father loved you?  Through discipline?

Is there any other way?

You stopped the tape but what you had heard echoed in your mind.  There was something about this story that you hadn’t gotten out of what he had told you.  That undefinable, inscrutable element that could only be described as the truth.  Of course you had questioned his story at the time, but you had been told to believe people when they were confessing something so serious, even as some covert sense told you that something was wrong.

You pulled over and grabbed a paper file from the seat next to you.  

“Of course,” you mumbled aloud to yourself, “of course something was wrong…”

You flipped to his physical examination results from his first intake.  He was just 19 then, a few weeks before the interview you had just listened to.

Perfect hearing in both ears.  20/20 vision.  Flawless dental impressions-- due mainly to 7 years of corrective braces staggered throughout his childhood.

You felt sick-- actually, physically sick.  As much as you had anticipated that there was something off with his original story, you hadn’t prepared for such a significant fabrication.  You still didn’t understand why he had lied to you… or what more you would learn had been simply a story.

[rfaromance]

HyunHyun

Take pictures of your precious moments-- they last longer.

Memories were fleeting, but a photo could last for eternity, transcending the limits that human bodies faced and living for lifetimes.

Thus, as an actor, as an artist, and as a friend, Zen held an immense amount of respect for the work of Jihyun Kim, or as he called him, V. V was a rather modest, mellow, mild-mannered man, but one didn’t need to have an eye for composition to be able to tell from first glance that he was insanely talented. His photographs captured not only colors and figures, but emotions and energy. They touched so many hearts and minds, and it was that ability to strike deep into the core of a person that had actually led to V finding the love of his life.

Unfortunately, their fairy tale came to an abrupt ending, when sorrow and the sea swallowed Rika whole, leaving nothing but her memory, her photos, and her legacy.

Everyone in Rika’s Fundraising Association had taken a hit when Rika passed, but V had suffered the most of all. That was natural, that was expected-- the two of them had promised their lives to each other.

For the longest time, V had been unable to pick up his camera again, and he had withdrawn into his solitude and despair. The RFA had all struggled with how to handle him, how to help him, how to heal him. Only time could heal some wounds, but… surely they could at least extend their hands and show that they would be there for him, in the same way he had supported them in their lowest moments and brought them together?

V saved Zen’s life-- that was no overstatement. Zen would not be here today if not for V’s persistence, V’s dedication, V’s curiosity, V’s kindness. If V could bring him back from the brink of a physical demise, then as his friend… didn’t Zen have a duty to bring him back from his own spiritual death?

These were the thoughts swirling in the young actor’s head as he stood at V’s doorstep, a bouquet of daffodils in one hand and a 6-pack of beer in the other. He had hit a personal roadblock in his own career; while he had managed to land a minor role in this latest play, he was struggling a lot with delivering his lines. Memorization was rarely a problem for him, but he was having an unusual amount of difficulty grasping the tone and the character that he desired. A lovelorn man was nothing new, but a lovelorn man who was lusting after his taken best friend? How much desperation should he employ, and how much support should he balance with it? He had to strike that precarious balance between desire and restraint, between yearning and withdrawing, between lust and level-headedness. Imagine being in love with your best friend!

Zen hadn’t even had a girlfriend since he could remember. He was dating his job, in a sense. This harsh reality only made the time he spent with his friends even more valuable.

Therefore, even though he was going to be working while he was with V, using V to recite his lines, he was still rather excited to stay overnight. V’s house was a considerable distance from his, over by the sea; why did artists have to live in such bizarre, eclectic places?

At least he had brought some beer to help them unwind when they were done.

As the white-haired young man rapped on the door, he was a little afraid of what kind of state he would find V in. Some days, he seemed to be calm and collected; other days, he was completely lost in his thoughts, and his eyes looked so misted and faraway, as if he could hardly see what was directly in front of him. Would V be at peace, or would he be tormented, when he came to the door?

The sea-blue eyes that greeted him twinkled like aquamarines. The pale face before him was aglow like the sun. The smile that greeted him was warmer than a hearth.

“Hyun.” Even his voice felt lighter than usual, like he were breathing fresh air instead of trying not to swallow water. “It’s a pleasure to see you. Thank you for coming all this way.” As refined and polite as ever, but still somehow… more casual. More relaxed. More… at ease.

“You’re the one doing me a favor,” Zen reminded him with a small chuckle. “The pleasure is mine, V. I rarely get to see you these days. How have you been holding up?”

A dark shadow flitted across his gaze, albeit briefly. “I’ve been… better,” he confessed, and he rubbed the back of his head a little sheepishly. He then ran his hand through his bangs--he had allowed his hair to grow out ever since losing Rika a few months prior, and his minty bangs now reached his chin. Getting a closer look at him now, Zen contemplated making a note to bring V some of his special shampoo; he shouldn’t let beautiful hair like that get either too greasy or dried out from improper treatment. “I’ve really been looking forward to seeing you, though,” he added, probably hoping to lighten the mood and alleviate Zen’s concerns.

Zen was still going to worry--he had a bit of a mother hen’s nature--but he would try to keep himself in check and not dote on V too much. They were friends, equals, companions. And besides, V was someone whom Zen respected immensely. Someone whose artistry, and whose beauty (both inside and out), rivaled his own. “I understand,” Zen told him with a puff of his chest. “I’d be excited to see me, too.” He gave his friend a flirty wink and his trademark smile that he flashed to his adoring fans.

If he had done that to Yoosung, the blond boy would have probably complained. If he had done that to Jaehee, the young woman probably would have melted. If he had done that to Seven, the mischievous hacker probably would have winked back. If he had done that to Jumin, the trust fund kid probably would have rolled his eyes.

He wasn’t sure what he had expected from V, but it certainly wasn’t the soft blush on his cheeks and the small giggle that escaped his thin lips. “Never change, Hyun,” he murmured, and then he returned a slight smile of his own, with his upturned mouth and small dimples shining brighter than the sun.

Oh. That’s why Rika had called him her sun.

“R-right,” Zen mumbled as he entered with a respectful bow. After he kicked off his shoes, he turned to V to ask him where to put the beer. “Hey, I brought these for later. Where should I put--”

Why was V gazing at him so intently?

“Yes, you’ll be perfect for this,” he declared at last with a firm nod and a slam of his fist into his open palm. “Hyun, I… Will you accept my apology?”

Always so considerate of others. He was apologizing before Zen even knew what reason he had to be sorry. “Tell me what’s going on, first,” the actor insisted. “I just got here. You haven’t done anything wrong here, or quite frankly, anything wrong that I can remember.” Was this an old wound that V wanted to close? An unresolved situation that needed closure? Zen tried to sort through the jumbled memories in his mind; V had never done anything to truly upset him. He had gone silent and pulled himself away from the RFA for a while, but Zen wasn’t about to chide him for how he chose to cope with his grief.

Zen, after all, had been prone to taking extreme, dramatic actions when he was feeling emotionally charged, too.

“I promise, we will practice your lines,” V continued, as Zen tried to piece together the different elements of what he was saying. “I have a request first, though, if you would be willing to indulge me.”

A request? Zen raised his eyebrows, but he found himself nodding nonetheless. He had no reason to doubt V, to question him, to suspect him. “Whatever you need,” he promised, with another quick wink and a snap of his fingers. “Let me guess. You needed an otherworldly beauty to model for you, right?” He propped one leg up onto V’s dining room table and leaned forward with one arm leaning against his knee, as if he were a ship captain looking out at the sea. “I understand. God made a mistake when creating me, so nobody else quite compares.” Of course, he knew that couldn’t be the case. As far as he knew, V rarely picked up his camera these days, if he even took pictures at all. When Rika died, his muse had died, too. His creative spirit, his inspiration, his drive, his passion… they weren’t necessarily dead, but they were on emergency life support. Zen wasn’t sure what kind of presence, what kind of power would be able to spur V to take photographs once again. He eagerly awaited that day, though.

“You’re exactly right.”

Zen didn’t even realize his mouth had fallen agape until V walked up to him, one hand outstretched to gently cup his chin and clamp his jaw shut. “You’re a marvel, Hyun. I… I’ve been thinking about what drew her to you in the first place.” His voice dropped, choked for a second, when he mentioned his former fiancee. But he kept speaking, pushing forward. “It wasn’t just your looks. It wasn’t just your talent. It wasn’t just your charisma. It was…” He furrowed his brow, as though searching for the proper words to describe what was on his mind. “Your aura.”

Aura?

Burning blue met confused crimson as V stared intently into Zen’s eyes. “You exude an aura of kindness, but also one of intensity. You’re naturally gifted, but you also work remarkably hard. You have a relaxed, likeable, comforting quality to you that draws people in, but when you get immersed in your work, you’re serious, stern, and disciplined.” His fingertips slid down Zen’s neck to his shoulders, and the tender touch sent a shiver racing through Zen’s spine. Was… V always like this when he got into work mode? This was a side of the photographer that he had never seen.

Why did a voice in the back of Zen’s mind whisper to him, “Did Rika ever see this side?”

“You’re a star, Zen, even if you don’t see it yet.” Now V gave him a pat on the shoulder and took a step back. “I want to help you see it, and perhaps expose others to your light as well.” He turned to a bag on his couch and shuffled around for a moment before withdrawing an exquisite camera-- one of the fancy ones that Zen only ever saw paparazzi use. “Would you allow me the honor?”

Only one possible response came to Zen’s brain and to his tongue:

“The honor is all mine.”

~~~

A can in one man’s hand, a glass in the other man’s grip.

While Zen guzzled beer, of his wine V would take a small sip.

A flick of a white ponytail, a shake of minty bangs.

When these two became tipsy, musical numbers they sang.

As their lips became loose, their thoughts began to spill as well.

Some words, some secrets, some things they never had meant to tell.

V was weaker to his wine, and so he was first to speak,

And the sentence he uttered made Zen’s tender heart grow weak.

“I’ve always admired you, though for a while ‘twas from afar.

You have always had the radiance of a shining star.

At first I was jealous of the way Rika admired you,

Until I realized that I felt the same way she did, too.”

He put his glass down on the table, and then bowed his head.

“I was afraid to ask you to model, so full of dread.

Imagine my delight when you agreed with a whole heart.”

And that’s when he moved a bit closer, giving Zen a start.

“I want to remember this day, the time we spent as friends.”

Why did that word seem to rip Zen’s heart into little shreds?

Hyun and Jihyun were friends, and dear to each other for sure,

But would it be a crime if the two of them wanted more?

Zen put his own drink down, then turned to face V’s minty eyes.

“Say what you’re thinking,” he demanded, much to V’s surprise.

“You always hold back, and today I was happy to see

That you were unafraid to ask for a favor from me.”

V looked hesitant, then finally emitted a sigh.

“Promise not to leave me? Promise not to bid me good-bye?”

Zen reached forward and planted his porcelain hand atop V’s.

With his signature wink, he gave his friend’s hand a firm squeeze.

“I shouldn’t speak, not when Rika’s memory is still fresh.

But I’m bearing a large sin that I think I must confess.”

Zen tilted his head to the side, but gave V a brisk nod.

He wanted to hear this confession, no matter how odd.

“Rika was my first love, the light of my entire life.

But life goes on, despite our ongoing turmoil and strife.

If Rika was my sun, then I must find another star.

And it appears to me that I needn’t search very far.”

Before Zen could question what the mint-haired man’s words could mean,

In towards Zen’s face, the photographer started to lean.

A peck on the lips, a delicate brush of skin on skin.

This was V’s secret, this was the young man’s heavy burden.

V tried to pull away as quickly as he had appeared,

And him leaving was the thing Zen discovered he most feared.

So the actor pushed forth, biting onto V’s rosy lips.

He scooted a tad closer, with a shuffle of his hips.

One might have imagined the kiss tasted of beer and wine,

But on the contrary, it was of a flavor divine.

The tastes of elegant mint and a hearty red bean bun.

A flavor that was mature, but in a way, also fun.

Edges of salt and smoke coated this unexpected kiss,

One marred by sorrow but also decorated with bliss.

When the two finally were forced to breathe and break apart,

They were of two bodies, but now bore only one shared heart.

“I…” V began, but his usually level voice trailed off.

“I think you should go,” he whispered, his voice eerily soft.

Zen jumped to his feet, ready to spit out many protests.

But judging from V’s expression, he now needed to rest.

“Thanks for helping me with my character,” Zen said at last.

“I’m sure I’ll remember this day when the stage comes to pass.”

And with a fond farewell, V waved to his friend as he left.

But as Zen closed the door behind him, his heart felt bereft.

His fingers traveled to his lips, where he still felt V’s touch.

Maybe the actor had just walked in there wanting too much.

“Take a picture to preserve moments,” is what he’d been told,

but no photo would last as long as this memory would.

[propw]

Crypto Prop Trading: Navigating the Cutting Edge of Digital Markets

The world of cryptocurrency trading has rapidly evolved from a niche interest to a major financial force, drawing the attention of both individual investors and large institutions. Among the many facets of this dynamic market, crypto proprietary trading, or crypto prop trading, stands out as a particularly intriguing and innovative domain. This article delves into the mechanics, benefits, challenges, and future prospects of crypto prop trading, illuminating its pivotal role in the digital finance ecosystem.

 

Understanding Crypto Prop Trading

Proprietary trading involves a firm or individual trading financial instruments using their own capital rather than client funds, aiming to generate direct profits from market activities. In the context of cryptocurrencies, crypto prop trading focuses on buying and selling digital assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and various altcoins. These firms leverage advanced trading strategies, technology, and market insights to capitalize on the volatility and liquidity of the crypto markets.

 

How Crypto Prop Trading Works

Crypto prop trading firms operate on several core principles, combining traditional trading tactics with modern technological advancements:

Market Analysis and Research: Successful trading begins with comprehensive market analysis. Firms employ teams of analysts and data scientists who scrutinize market trends, historical data, and current events to forecast price movements. Machine learning models and AI are increasingly used to enhance predictive accuracy.

Algorithmic Trading: Many prop trading firms rely on algorithmic trading, where pre-programmed instructions execute trades at high speeds and frequencies. These algorithms process vast amounts of data in real-time, identifying and exploiting market inefficiencies that human traders might miss. This technology-driven approach is a hallmark of modern prop trading.

Risk Management: Given the inherent volatility of cryptocurrencies, effective risk management is crucial. Firms implement sophisticated risk management frameworks to protect their capital, including setting strict stop-loss limits, diversifying trading strategies, and continuously monitoring market conditions to mitigate potential losses.

Leverage and Capital Efficiency: Utilizing leverage is common in prop trading to amplify potential returns. However, this also increases risk, necessitating robust risk management practices. Efficient capital allocation ensures firms can maximize returns while maintaining adequate liquidity to cover potential losses.

 

Advantages of Crypto Prop Trading

High Profit Potential: Crypto prop trading can yield substantial profits, especially in the highly volatile and liquid crypto markets. The ability to take long and short positions allows firms to profit from both rising and falling markets.

Technological Innovation: The adoption of cutting-edge technology and innovative trading strategies positions prop trading firms at the forefront of the financial industry. This technological edge can translate into a significant competitive advantage.

Independence and Flexibility: Prop trading firms operate independently of client demands, enabling them to make quick, strategic decisions without external constraints. This agility is particularly beneficial in the fast-paced crypto markets.

Talent Development: Working in a prop trading firm provides traders and analysts with invaluable experience and training. The high-stakes environment fosters skill development, creativity, and a deep understanding of market dynamics.

 

Challenges in Crypto Prop Trading

Regulatory Uncertainty: The regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies is still evolving. Prop trading firms must navigate a complex and often ambiguous regulatory environment, which can vary significantly across jurisdictions. Compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) regulations is essential but challenging.

Market Volatility: While volatility presents profit opportunities, it also increases risk. Sudden market shifts can lead to significant losses if not managed properly. Prop trading firms must continuously adapt their strategies to cope with market fluctuations.

Technological Risks: Reliance on technology introduces risks such as system failures, cyberattacks, and algorithmic errors. Robust cybersecurity measures and rigorous testing of trading algorithms are critical to mitigate these risks.

Capital Requirements: Significant capital investment is required to develop and maintain the technological infrastructure, employ skilled professionals, and manage trading operations effectively. Smaller firms may struggle to compete with established players with deeper pockets.

 

The Future of Crypto Prop Trading

The future of crypto prop trading looks promising, driven by ongoing advancements in technology, increased institutional interest, and the continued maturation of the cryptocurrency market. As more traditional financial institutions explore the crypto space, prop trading firms may find new opportunities for collaboration and growth.

Integration with Traditional Finance: As traditional financial institutions become more involved in the crypto space, there will be greater integration between traditional and digital asset trading, potentially leading to new trading opportunities and strategies.

Decentralized Finance (DeFi): The rise of DeFi platforms offers new trading opportunities and strategies, potentially reshaping how prop trading firms operate. These innovations offer new avenues for trading strategies and investment opportunities, enhancing market efficiency and accessibility.

Regulatory Clarity: As regulatory frameworks solidify, firms will have a clearer understanding of compliance requirements, reducing uncertainty and fostering growth. Clearer regulations can also increase market stability, benefiting all participants.

Technological Advancements: Continuous innovation in trading algorithms, AI, and machine learning will further enhance the capabilities of prop trading firms. These advancements will enable firms to process and react to market data more quickly and accurately, improving their trading performance.

Global Expansion: With the global nature of cryptocurrency markets, prop trading firms can operate across multiple jurisdictions, tapping into various market opportunities. This global reach allows firms to diversify their trading strategies and reduce exposure to regional risks.

 

Conclusion

Crypto prop trading represents a vibrant and evolving sector within the broader financial ecosystem. It combines traditional trading principles with cutting-edge technology and innovative strategies, offering significant profit potential and fostering technological advancement. While it presents substantial challenges, including regulatory uncertainty and market volatility, the firms that can adeptly navigate these complexities will be well-positioned to thrive in this exciting new era of digital asset management. As the market continues to develop, crypto prop trading firms will play a crucial role in shaping the future of cryptocurrency trading, driving both innovation and market growth.

[kaitycole]

Once Upon an Us

Summary: Riley wants Liam, but Liam wants Drake.

Pairings: Liam x Riley, Drake x Liam, Riley x ???

Word Count: 4254

Warnings: (16+) Mentions of cheating and arguing. Vague mentions of sexual relations. Angst. Fluff.

A/N: The wonderful, beautiful, talented @dcbbw requested either Liam x MC angst to Driam fluff. While trying to figure out which one to do, my brain said ‘why not both?’ Here we are. Enjoy! 

Note: In my series ‘A Royal Mess’ I mentioned another empty duchy (similar to Valtoria) as being Mirandola and Leo was tilted the Duke of it, so we’re just gonna reuse it for this one too! This is NOT an extension of that series, btw.

Note 2: I have no idea what this is. A mess, that’s what. But here we go. 

It has been three years since Riley Brooks took Cordonia by storm, quickly becoming the one who won the polls for who the country felt would best serve by Liam’s side. While it didn’t take long the citizens to be smitten with her, a few others around the palace weren’t so captured by her and there was one who remained as icy towards her as he had been from day one.

*                      * The Palace

Liam is sitting at the head of the table, sipping his coffee while reading the various newspapers in front of him. It still surprised him just how different one paper was from another, reporting the same story but from opposite viewpoints, so certain their points were more factual than the others. But as King, it was important to be thoroughly informed.

“Liam.” Riley smiles at him, sitting to his left as a server brings her a plate of breakfast.

“Mm.” He hums in response, not taking a moment to even look from his paper.

She nods slightly before dropping any expectations they might share a meal with playful banter or exchanges common between married couples. Riley smiles when her and Liam’s assistants join them to go over their schedules and upcoming engagements.

Riley just nods as he chews on her bottom lip. She knew what she was getting into, at least she knew to an extent that Liam’s heart belonged to another and she simply made the best stand-in. She knew when she accepted his proposal that she was just playing a role for the Crown, for the citizens of the country, but even with knowing that, it didn’t help the gaping hole in her chest.

“Is the paperwork for Valtoria complete?” Liam asks his assistant who has been jotting down a few notes.

“Almost, Sir. We just need the Crown’s seal and your signature.” His assistant Andrew tells him, an uneasy expression on his face. “Does this weekend still work?”

“Yes. Please make sure my schedule is cleared starting Thursday and leave it open until Sun- no, until Monday.”

“What’s the weekend?” Riley asks innocently, looking at her husband for clarification, who doesn’t bother to look her way.

“It’s when Valtoria is scheduled to have a new Duke placed in power, Ma’am.” Juliet, Riley’s assistant, answers.

“I wasn’t aware that we had picked someone this soon.” “The deci-“ Andrew is cut off when Riley raises her hand.

“I’d like to hear this from my husband. Liam?”

He sighs, annoyed. “I didn’t think you needed to know the details. It’s not like it honestly concerns you.”

Juliet and Andrew share a quick glance before standing up, excusing themselves and bowing as they leave the royal couple alone.

“Is it not enough that you treat me like a burden rather than a wife, but you really have to parade him around?”

“You knew exactly what you were getting into.”

“Don’t pull that card with me, Liam. If I knew it was going to be like this, I would’ve never agreed.”

“You’re the Queen of Cordonia. You have endless funds, endless resources, anything you could ever want or need, but somehow you are still miserable. I don’t understand you, Riley.”

“And a husband who wouldn’t notice if I wasn’t there.” She tries to steady her voice, anger lacing her words, “you promised that you would try!”

Shaking his head, Liam stands up, pushing his chair in with more force than necessary. Riley stands up slamming her hands on the table, letting her anger out as he starts walking out of the room, ignoring her.

“I did, Riley. The results just weren’t for your liking.”

She rushes up behind him, grabbing his suit jacket to stop him which causes him to whip around, anger plastered on both of their faces. He’s leaning down just enough for the two of them to stay nose to nose.

“Do NOT grab me, I am the King!” “And I Queen!” Despite his attempt to shut her down with his aggressive tone, she remains firm. “I won’t be ignored!”

“What do you have to say? I have things to do.”

“You can give him as many fancy titles as you want, Liam. It doesn’t change how the citizens will view him, it won’t change who you’re married to or who will be the one to give the throne heirs.”

As her words are processed, his anger dissipates changing into remorse. This façade cracking as each word sinks deeper into his chest, the realization of just how right she is becoming added weight in his chest. He’s been selfish, not only with his proposal to Riley, but to the man who owns his heart, but what could he have done? One can’t live without a heart, he couldn’t let him go, right?

She stops, knowing she’s wounded him, looking slightly over her shoulder as she adds salt to cut she’s left. “If you’re going to Valtoria this weekend, I’ll be heading to Mirandola.”

He snaps his head and turns to speak, but she’s gone. He knows he has no right to get mad, to demand that she stay home in the palace while he’s away. He feels like he might have had the right had he tried, had he actually upheld his end of the botched proposal he gave her, but he didn’t. He never intended to try with her because if he was being honest, he knew if he had he might’ve ended up regretting dragging her into this mess in the first place. He’d spend every night in his lover’s arms instead of across the hall from the woman he was all but forced to marry, who he forced to marry him under false expectations.

*                      * Valtoria

Liam falls to his side, panting next to his lover as he props himself up on his right side, facing him. Drake pushes his chest off the sheets, a smile on his face as he meets Liam’s eyes. Liam feels his heart melt at the pure adoration in Drake’s eyes because he didn’t care how miserable things were at the palace, in moments like this, the look in Drake’s eyes made up for all of that if only for a few days a month.

Drake places his hand on Liam’s cheek, his thumb caressing the thin layer of stubble on the King’s face. He wrinkles his nose when Liam leans forward, kissing his forehead. “What’s bothering you?”

Liam cocks his head to the side, his fingers running through the brunette’s damp hair. “What do you mean?”

“You didn’t shave, that usually means something’s on your mind.”

“Riley said something to me a few days ago, just been on my mind I guess.”

The brunette stiffens at her name, of all the people he remains the only one who refuses to accept her, to try to warm up to her. He bites his bottom lip just enough for it to bleed because he needs to feel something other than this sinking feeling in his stomach. He pushes himself off the bed, grabbing his boxers off the floor, putting them on before gathering the other articles of abandoned clothing.

“Drake, talk to me.” He tries to stop Drake, but he’s just pushed out of the way. “Drake.”

Tears are in his eyes when they look up to Liam’s, his heart already in shattered pieces, “she’s pregnant, isn’t she?”

Now it was time for Liam’s heart to break, to become a mess of jagged edges piercing into his chest. He wanted to be hurt, to question why Drake would doubt his love for him, but he can’t be because it’s only natural. Neither he nor Riley had ever brought it up, but it was something that always lingered in the air, something that eventually would start to be expected from the royal couple. Leo and Liam had both, in their own ways, shook the foundation of the throne, an heir would help stabilize it once more.

Liam pulls the other into an embrace, tightly wrapping his arms around him. He places both hands, one on each side of Drake’s face, pulling his face up to look at him. Drake’s eyes are red and puffy, but he still looks handsome to the King. Liam presses a chaste kiss to his lover’s lips, deepening it with hopes his love could be translated through the gesture.

Their actions are desperate as sloppy, wet kisses trail each other’s necks, Liam’s fingers toying with the waistband of Drake’s boxers as they attempted to make their way to the bed. Their steps get tangled together causing them to fall to the floor, small laughter coming from both of them. Drake shakes his head when Liam tries to get up, pinning the raven-haired man’s arms above his head as he straddles him. Liam smirks, both noting this will be the second day they fail to leave the grand suite of Valtoria.

*                      * Mirandola

“You could always just get an annulment.”

“And go back to waiting tables in New York?” She shakes her head, “how do I go back to black and white when I’ve seen color?” Leo offers a small smile, looking at her over his reading glasses. “I’m sure you could talk him into gifting you one of these lovely duchies. Valtoria is lovely this time of year.” She tosses him an annoyed look which gets her a chuckle from the abdicated prince. She knows that she’d be able to get something if all of this ended, the façade, the sham of a marriage, but part of that feels wrong. She just wanted to be happy, that’s why she left New York to begin with, she thought this would be a magical adventure. Something should’ve clued her in when Drake never let up his annoyed glances at her or how he tried to interfere with every secret meeting Liam would ask Riley to attend.

At first, Riley flattered herself, thinking that Drake had feelings for her, but then a drunken Maxwell let it slip that Drake and Liam had a relationship deeper than just best friends. That the social season might’ve been traditional protocol in the public’s eye for a Crown Prince, but that his father was using it as an alternative method to separate them.

“Did you hear? Drake now owns Valtoria.” She smiles as Leo chokes on his tea, coughing as he tries to breathe. “Liam is up there now.”

“I didn’t know he had it in him.”

“To parade his lover around as if he doesn’t have a wife?”

Leo walks behind her, leaning close to her ear, his hot breath dances around her bare neck, “aren’t you doing something similar? You are here after all.”

Riley watches as he walks out, tossing her a wink before he leaves the dining room. Her shoulders drop, knowing that he’s right. She doesn’t have any moral high ground to stand on, while she didn’t make it a hobby to think about whatever her husband did at Valtoria, she knew what she was doing here was no better.

Falling into Leo’s bed wasn’t something she thought she would ever do. She really did love Liam, she wanted things to work, why else would she agree to the fucked-up arrangement? It broke her heart to watch him turn colder and colder towards her when all she wanted was the chance to win him over. But she allowed herself to believe that one Rhys was just as good as the other, not that Leo cared whose name she called out anyways.

*                      * Valtoria

“Pout all you want. I can’t stay babe.” Liam laughs, pulling Drake into a kiss.

“But we never finished our talk from Friday?” Drake once again pokes out his bottom lip at the King who has been trying to leave for the last hour.

Liam had been hoping that Drake would’ve dropped the subject over the weekend, he figured between the strenuous workouts and the ceremony making him the newest Duke of Valtoria would keep him occupied, but he was wrong.

“She said it didn’t matter how many fancy titles I gave you, it wouldn’t change anything.” Liam shakes his head, “that at the end of the day it was her with me and not you.”

He turns his head, looking at Liam with the same adoration he always had, since they were kids, “she’s with you on paper, so what? I get the side of you no one else does.”

“But don’t you feel cheated?” Liam sighs, “or like I’m just being too selfish? Maybe I should’ve fought my father more.”

Drake kisses Liam, rendering him speechless which makes both of them smirk. “Hush. If you’re being selfish, I’m being just as selfish. I just want you, Liam.”

“One day, it won’t be like this anymore.” Liam promises, pressing one more kiss to Drake’s lips before letting him go.

“I know.” Drake waves, finally letting Liam leave to go back to the palace, back to her.

*                      * The Palace

It’s late when Riley stumbles back into the palace, getting a few not so nice looks from the maids who are getting ready to head home. She gives them an ‘I’m sorry’ smile as she tiptoes up the stairs up to the right wing of the palace.

Within that wing, was the traditional royal suite where most royal couples stay together, sharing the bed chamber. However, in their situation, Liam opted to take a room just down the hall while Riley kept the original set up. Just few apart from one another, but it felt like miles worth of distance.

“Enjoy your weekend?”

Riley jumps, her heart beating against her ribcage, if she was a cat she’d have lost a life or two for sure. Typically, Liam was either in his room or office, they didn’t have many run ins this late at night.

“Did you?” She bit back, regretting it once she realized his words were sincere. Although she wasn’t shy about the way her eyes lingered on the purple marks accompanied by bite marks that covered his chest and shoulders which caused Liam to regret his decision to not wear a shirt.

“I did a lot of thinking.” He crosses his arms, feeling embarrassed under her gaze, trying to cover up as much as he could.

“I did as well.” She sits down on the edge of the bed, sighing.

“I think we should start the annulment process.” Liam says as Riley says, “I want us to give it one more try.”

Both quickly respond with, “what?”

“If we try and things don’t work out, I won’t ask for another try. I just don’t want to have any regrets.”

“Riley, I can’t do that. You know that.” He shakes his head.

To Riley, Liam is being stingy and selfish. He’s been an asshole to her because she’s fairly convinced that if he gave her a chance, she could win him over. She knows that they could be happy, that she’s the best thing for the throne and that’s what hurts the most. The fact that she knows she’s found her true love, the one she should be with, but he just won’t open his eyes and accept that.

To Liam, Riley is being irrational. He knows that giving her a chance would be leading her on because he can’t give her what she’s looking for. Not just that he can’t, but he won’t. What people don’t seem to realize, Riley included, is that he’s loved Drake for as love as he can remember, that with Drake it’s the kind of love that starts wars, breaks family ties, it’s the kind of love people write sonnets about. It may seem like he’s fine with the arrangement, but he’s not because if Leo is different that all the other Rhys before him, it’s that he actually hurts when he causes other’s harm.

“Why can’t you?” She yells, her anger turning into tears as they stream down her face.

“I can’t hurt him like that. I can’t hurt him anymore than I already have.”

“But you can hurt me? You asked me to do this!”

“I told you how things would be. I never lied.”

“But you never said it would be this bad!” Her voice cracks, the sobs breaking apart her words.

“Riley.” He squats down in from of her, taking her hand in his. “I never meant for you to get this hurt. I’ll do whatever it takes to try to make this up to you.”

“All I ever wanted was you, Li.” She throws her arms around his neck, pulling him into her chest. He stumbles at the force of her action, sighing in defeat as he wraps his arms back around her.

*                      * Valtoria

Drake walks through the duchy, other than a few servants and maids, he was the only one there. It’s empty and lonely, the opposite of how he spent his life growing up by the palace and he hates it. There’s the buzz of construction outside, Liam was having a stable put up or remodeled, honestly Drake lost track of everything lately.

He’s walking through the foyer when he sees a few black SVUs pull up, a smile spreads across his face because he knows Liam’s there. Drake’s surprised because Liam usually waited a few weeks before making another visit, but he surely wouldn’t complain.

Rushing to the door, he opens it, running down most of the walkway before throwing his arms around the King, the hell with whoever saw, he really didn’t care. But Liam doesn’t return the embrace, he doesn’t pat his back or anything. Instead he pulls away, slowly meeting Drake’s eyes with a solemn look on his face.

“We need to talk.”

*                      * Mirandola

Leo walks into his study and looks panicked when he sees his brother sitting behind the desk. He knows the look on Liam’s face, the same one he got a lot growing up by his father and Bastien, one that just radiates disappointment. A chill runs down his spine as he tries to keep up a poker face, pacing out each step slowly as he creeps closer to the desk.

The blonde eventually gets to the chair in front of Liam and he sits, wondering if this dread he’s feeling is felt by those who sit here when he’s on the other side of the desk. It’s been a very long time since he’s felt this way, since a King has made him feel so, so small.

Liam shuffles the papers that are in front of him, tapping them on the desk to straighten them out before finally making eye contact with his brother.

“I didn’t do it!” Leo quickly blurts out until he realizes that he’s a grown ass man and that what a child would say.

“Oh, but you did.” Liam smiles a smile that’s closer to the Cheshire Cat rather than a caring brother. “I guess congratulations are in order.”

Leo has always hated riddles, always hated people beating around the bush when it came to what they needed to say. It’s the same reason he hates the cringy small talk before one asked for a favor, he finds it all pointless and Liam knows this which makes Leo’s stomach drop. Whatever it is, it’s bad enough for Liam to toy with him.

“Don’t look so grim, brother. A child is always something to celebrate.”

C-c-child? Leo suddenly can’t breathe. His thoughts are becoming a jumbled mess.

“Don’t fret. I already have things in order.” Liam holds the stack of paperwork out for Leo, who is shaking as he grabs it.

“In order?”

“Yes.” Liam clears his throat. “Riley couldn’t take the stresses of being queen which lead her to seek comfort with you. Since regardless of which Rhys is the father is, it’s still an heir which means she’ll be moving into Mirandola after a quick marriage ceremony.”

“Guess you get everything you want.”

“No, actually I don’t.” He shakes his head, “I didn’t want her name drug in my mud, Leo. I may not have loved her, but I care for her and I was working out a way that would be easiest for her to still show her face at royal events without whispers.” Leo bites back any further comments knowing that he’s been thinking poorly of his brother for no reason. He should’ve guessed Liam would look out for her, he wasn’t joking when he said Riley wouldn’t be left empty-handed, but it was his doing, the abdicated prince once again tarnishing the very things he wants to keep precious.

“Chin up, brother.” He turns to walk out of Leo’s office. “Oh, don’t worry, hopefully you’ll make a better father than brother.”

*                      * Valtoria

“Duke Walker!” A reporter calls out trying to grab the attention of the man who just wants to disappear.

“Your Grace! Your Grace!”

He turns to the sea of cameras and flashing lights, briefly wondering if this overwhelming feeling was something Liam got used to or if he still wants to shrink under this uncomfortable pressure.

It had been a few months since Liam told him about Riley’s pregnancy, how they’d be handling things on that end and Drake was told to wait which he has been. He’s been waiting since they were 8 years old, blinding following Liam around like a pup without a home. At 28, you’d think he’d stop following so blindly, try to step out from the sidelines, but it’s where he felt most comfortable.

“Duke Walker, what’s next for you and the King?” “Your Grace, will you be leaving Valtoria for the palace?”

“What do you have to say about the pictures of you and King Liam holding hands, Your Grace?”

Drake takes a deep breath, wanting to just turn around and leave, but his feet feel frozen in place. This wasn’t his thing, Liam always stood front and center. If Liam was north then Drake was south, if Liam was day then Drake was night and for their whole lives he liked it that way.

“The Duke of Valtoria won’t be answering any questions today.”

A few wide eyes and gasps from the reporters have Drake turning around to see Liam walking up behind him, a smile on his face. It takes everything in him to not run up to his lover, beg him to get rid of the press so he can kiss him, but he can’t. He gives Liam a small smile as he walks up, stopping at Drake side.

“Your Majesty.” The reporters take a moment to bow slightly as he throws up a wave.

“I think we have time to answer two questions.” He looks over at Drake who gives him a slight nod.

“Your Majesty, what brings you to Valtoria today?” De Luca asks, looking over her sunglasses.

“That’s simple, I have to ask Duke Walker a question.”

He wouldn’t? Drake’s eyes widen as he looks at Liam, who is completely calm whereas the Duke’s heart is beating out of his chest.

“King Liam, are the Duke and you the newest royal couple?” A newer reporter asks, getting a few looks from his veteran colleagues.

“That would depend on his answer to this question.”

Drake closes his eyes, nerves completely shot at this point, trying his hardest to breathe in and out at a steady rate. When he opens them, he sees Liam down on one knee in front of him, the presses snapping pictures rapidly.

“Li…”

“Are you gonna let me speak first?”

“No.” “Drake.”

“I can’t believe you’re doing this. In front of everyone.” “Quickest way to get the word out.” “I could say no.” Drake crosses his arms, momentarily forgetting they aren’t alone. The press having an absolute field day with the playful banter between the King and his oldest friend.

“You wouldn’t dare.” He feigns shocks, a hand on his chest, biting back a smirk, “you’d embarrass me in front of the whole country? The whole world?” “Isn’t that what you’re doing to me by asking me this right now?”

Liam shakes his head, “I haven’t asked you anything yet, you haven’t let me.” “Fine. Ask me.”

“Will you attend the royal masquerade with me tonight?” “I wi-wait, what?” Drake’s jaw drops which is quickly followed by the press having the same reaction.

“What did you think I was going to ask?” He stands up, whipping on the knees of his pants. “Drake, did you think I was going to propose?”

Drake’s face turns red with embarrassment, “well you did get down on one knee.” “My shoe lace was undone. I didn’t want to trip.” Liam smirks, “that could’ve ended embarrassing, what if you said no?”

“My point exactly.” Drake’s grumpy demeanor surfacing from a mixture of embarrassment and slight disappointment.

“But would you?”

“Would I what?”

Liam smiles, pulling a small box out of his box, remaining on his feet this time. The flash of the cameras once again all but blinding the pair. There’s a silver band inside the box when Liam opens it.

“Would you marry me?”

Drake buries his beet red face into the crook of Liam’s neck as he’s pulled into a hug. He mumbles something just loud enough for Liam to be the only one who hears it which makes the king laugh. Liam whispers something back which brings a sigh from Drake’s lips as he lifts his head up.

“Yeah, I’ll marry you.”

[starfirette]

Hello! Can u please write Helena Bertinelli with a Fem!reader tomboy that's a muay thai fighter and look like super cool and cold,but in the apartment its a very soft and lovely girlfriend with Helena? (And how the birds will react when them met her) Thank you,I Love you writing and HELENA IS SUCH A BAE!!! THIS GAL NEED MORE LOVE AND SUPPORT!❤

masterlist | word count: who fucking knows | 🏷 @kurreapormaranet @emofairygay​ | a/n: ;0 There are some things you might want to look up on youtube so you have a general idea of what’s happening. Clinch positions, tactical stand ups, thips

The rink’s seats filled massively, stretching to every wall that bounced the cheering back and forth. 

The overall mission seemed simple, but it had Helena dreading this moment since Harleen explained what needed to happen. 

The trust fund brat of the devilish Rossini family kidnapped the Rossini’s pride and joy: their little baby girl, Ayala. Ayala Rossini, four years old, is the Brat’s younger half sister and the new written in heir of the Rossini fortune. The Brat, Carmen, had been written out of the will after she kidnapped the new little bird Batman was keeping under his wing. She’d been sloppy and left behind all marks of her family’s (unbeknownst) involvement. She made serval costly mistakes which included Batman’s uncovering of the Rossini family’s plans of Gotham, Star, and Jump city. Half the family became arrested.

Carmen was all but disowned by her father, whom she already resented for marrying another woman so quick after the death of her mother. To get her revenge, she kidnapped Ayala.

So, Mr and Mrs Rossini employed Harley and her rag tag team of anti-hero thugs.

To get Ayala back, the girls would have to go undercover.

Their heroic deed would get them 30k each, so that was good enough. The Rossinis are precise and focuses; they’d been willing to pay as much as they had to in order to ensure the safety of their little crime lord baby.

Now Harley had her connections. She knew a guy who knew a guy who saw a friend with a girl outside of the 31 Flavors ice cream shoppe, and this girl just happened to know that Carmen spends her free time hosting epic fights in the secret tunnels of Smallville.

It’s a long ways away from Gotham, but is a perfect place to host such gatherings. The fights are frightfully violent and brutal. Also very illegal. No one would ever know that beneath the wheat and corn fields of Lil’ Ol’ Smallville county lays an intricate mafia maze.

Carmen Rossini is notorious for entertaining the winners to a “fine dinner with wine”. The rumors go that she runs an entire harem of Thai Fighting women, using them for sexual favors and personal security.

The entire mission is actually depending on that rumor.

The plan was to send in Dinah as a participant in the rink and hope she would win and earn the attention of Carmen. 

But then Dinah got bronchitis. It was a nasty case, too, in which she wouldn’t stop coughing and hacking up green stuff into tissues. 

The entire thing would have been called off if you hadn’t admitted that you are, in fact, trained in Muay Thai. 

You’re positive that Helena would have rather kept this a secret, because she doesn’t like putting you in harms way. It’s a nuisance to have the world’s most protective girlfriend. Heaven forbid you even get a paper cut, else she’d make you wear rubber gloves while you read a book. 

The entire group (save Helena) jumped for the chance to replace Dinah with you. You’d do perfect, Harley said, sounding so confident. 

You intended to be flawless in the ring. 

You’d not competed since high school, when Muay Thai was still just a recreational hobby. You’d had your wins and losses, but that was before you grew up to spend majority of your time fighting mafia crime lords. 

Once Dinah officially relinquished her role of the mission, you took to the heavy bags. The repetitions became intense and harsh in the following weeks. You spent every night limping into bed. 

Your sweet whispers that begged Helena for a soothing massage fell onto her deaf ears. She is stubborn, and she had been attempting to force you out of this competition since the day you’d agreed to it. 

You were not afraid of Carmen, or anyone else she’d make you fight against. For the sake of the little Ayala, you would do this. Besides, you tell yourself, what’s the worst that could happen? With the Birds and their abilities, there isn’t much that could happen. 

Nothing would slide through the cracks. 

Hopefully. 

The day did come faster than you’d imagined, though. The drive to Smallville was tense, especially in the backseat where Helena was frostily ignoring you. 

Harleen was road raging, passing every trucker on the two way road that didn’t exceed 65 miles an hour. 

“You know the speed limit is 45, right?” Montoya asked after she had taken a long drag of a cigarette. She had her legs propped up on the dash. Between her and Harley sat Cass, who was oblivious to the chaos around her as she sang along to a pop Spanish song. “Yeah, and?” Harley quipped. She cast her bright eyes towards Montoya, a wicked smile playing on her lips.“You gonna arrest me?” 

Montoya couldn’t do much but sigh in defeat. If Harley didn’t mind crashing, then she didn’t either. 

Between the bickering and the loud singing of the three front passengers, you and Helena were sitting silently in the very back seats. Your head was leaned up against the window which rattled as the tires of Harley’s ‘64 Starfire rolled across the gravely road. 

Helena had been refusing to speak to you since the fight you got into last night. It was a real fight. She’s made it clear that she’s against you fighting in Carmen’s ring, and is especially against you joining her harem. 

You’d first thought she was afraid of disloyalty; you had promised her that you wouldn’t ever cheat on her, even if it was for a mission. But it became revealed that’s not what Helena was worried about. 

She feared for your life. She fears for your life every single day. No matter how small of a task, she can’t help but worry. She lost her mother, father, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles; everyone. She’d been so helpless. She could only watch as she became the sole Bertinelli. 

Helena couldn’t live on if something happened to you. 

The fight ended on a confusing note. It didn’t end, per say, and you two did sleep in the same bed. However, neither of you has said a word to each other. You tried this morning, but she’d given you the snippy, cold shoulder. 

As much as you hate putting her through so much anxiety, you know that you can’t back down. A girl’s life is at stake; it’s not the money you care about. Not to mention Carmen Rossini is about to make the top 50 worst criminals in Gotham County. 

Harley rolled the car to a stop around a patch of gravel and dust. Everyone climbs out, rocks crunching under their shoes as they stretch and look around. 

“Where is it?” Cass asks, shoving her hands in the pockets of her loose denim jacket. Her chapped lips are stained blue from the tootsy pop that she’d crunched on in the car. The soggy stick now hung from her lips, as if she had been imitating Montoya’s cigarette. 

Harley locked, double checked, then re locked, then triple checked her car. She turned around, using her hands to shield her vision as she scanned the open wheat fields. “Dunno,” she admitted. “I guess I supposed someone woulda been here to meet us.” 

You shifted on your feet. You wanted to try and make Helena happy before you’d at least go inside and get in the ring. The only issue is, she’ll only be happy if your forfeit now. 

You would not. 

Across the way, by a few yards at most, a rustling came through the wheat that came at least up to your hips.

A young man emerged; he approached the Birds with a guarded look that furrowed his thick, blond eyebrows. “You are Carmen’s guests, yes?” 

He spoke with a thick accent. His honey blond hair contrasted his coffee brown features. He had a handsome face with a strong jaw, but something about him seemed off. He seemed intimidated despite being taller and broader than most. 

“We are,” you answered for the Birds. “I am Y/n. I am the contestant.” 

The man beckons you all forward. Helena glared at him, her hand steadily tapping the outside of her thigh. She was prepared to draw her gun and shoot anyone that could get in her way. In your way. 

You tasted a bitter foam in your mouth as you attempted to stop Helena without raising too much attention. 

“We––I––am here for the  Carmen’s...event.” 

The honey blond man tallied the Birds on his fingers, visibly distressed. “I do not thinka’ Miss Rossini expected so many of you...” 

After a brief, strangled silence, the man shook his head and waved his arm along to escort you. “The bunker is just this way,” he explained. Harley and Cass walked after him. 

Helena meets your eyes. Her gaze is firm, and maybe even angry. No way could you defuse that situation while still heading into the rink. 

The wheat and grass crunched under your boots as you marched across the pace-by-pace clearing. A trap door in the ground lifted up swiftly, silently, as if they grease the hinges every damn day. 

You remembered how this turned out for Suzie Salmon; casting one more look over your shoulder, you assured yourself with the presence of Helena. 

Down the hatch, under the ground, you, Harley, Cass, Helena, and Mr Cannoli over here shuffled down the hall to a big dressing room. The entire layout felt more like a stadium then an underground crime rink. The dressing room has lush sofas and fur blankets; in the corner a SodaStream is mounted on an Ikea book table. 

“Miss Rossini will join you shortly,” Cannoli-guy told you, nodding his head regally. He bowed out of the room, shutting the heavy oak door after him. 

Cass jumped on the sofa. She sprawled out over the furs, kicking her muddy Chuck Taylors up. “Luxury.” 

Harley snipped to Cass to get her dirty little feet off the merchandise. 

You took a seat in the swivel chair in front of the large mirror. It looked like pure Broadway with the heavy lightbulbs that wreathed the glass. 

“Can’t say they don’t know how to entertain a guest,” Harley squealed as she migrated to the SodaStream. “They got homemade cream soda!” 

Cass jumped off the sofa to run after Harley. 

Instead of facing you, Helena took a heavy seat on the couch. Her legs spread out, looking spectacularly muscular in her tight, black pants. 

Unfortunately, you’re too annoyed with her to go lounge in her lap. 

As much as you’d like to make amends, you know the only way to do that would be to back down. You’re going into that rink.

The door flew open at the second Harley had poured herself and Cassie a drink. 

Carmen Rossini strutted in and you stared in awe. You tried not to let your jaw drop. Tall, voluptuous. Her hair is wavy auburn, her eyes deepest green. 

She looked at you immediately. Reaching out for you as if you were the messiah, she chuckled. “You’re even cuter in person! Oh, sweetie, you––you do know how to drive a hard bargain. Your agent Harleen contacted me, where is she?” 

Harley waved her hand from the corner. “That would be me. Ain’t Y/n a real figure?” 

Scowling, Helena crossed her legs. She glared up at Carmen, and you remembered that Carmen is doing what Helena hates the most; complimenting you. 

It’s not so much that Helena doesn’t like that you receive compliments; it’s just that she prefers giving them to you. 

“I’m so happy to see you all here tonight,” Carmen said, clapping her hands loudly. “There’s nothing more exciting than tonight’s event. Did you know,” she cooed as she ‘boop’ed your nose, “that I’ve got people betting about two million dollars that you’ll win? I am so, so pleased that you’ve chosen to make your debut in my arena.” 

You nod, your neck stiff. “I guess I’m excited?” you mumbled. 

Carmen snapped her fingers. She signaled to one of her lackies to come forward. A box Is presented at your feet. 

“I hope you don’t mind, but I brought you a little something. A uniform of your own, courtesy of moi. Don’t you love it? I had your photos analyzed by a fashion expert, and they designed your shorts to compliment you perfectly.” 

The high waisted, Thai shorts are a deep ivory shade, with black flowers sewn into the design. They’re the most beautiful Thai shorts you’d ever seen! Your own were cute, but simple, considering that you didn’t usually think to be a fashionista while working out. 

“They’re amazing,” you admitted. Over the top? Definitely. Did you expect anything else? Honestly, you’re not sure. You weren’t sure what to expect. 

“Oh! I almost forgot.” Carmen, as she smiled, reached into the deep pocket of her red silk kimono-blouse. In her hands is a thickly wound prajoud, made of fine threads and paracord. The black and red jumped out at you like an old friend.

“I hope I got the rank right?”

“You did,” you say as you took the prajad from Carmen. “I could have brought my own if you’d asked.”

“It’s really not a big deal, my darling,” Carmen purred. She ran her hand through your hair, taking note of the silky feeling of each strand. “I will be watching. There will be people outside the door waiting to escort you to the arena when you’re done dressing.”

Her fingers are heavy with her bejeweled rings. The heavy tear shaped gems get tangled in your hair.

“You have ten minutes,” Carmen adds.

Helena glowered after her as she flitted out of the room. Her heels clacked down the hallway following the click of the door shutting in place.

Montoya took a long drag of her cigarette before she  chortled.“You just gonna let her mark her territory like that?”

Helena didn’t say anything.

“Oi, Katniss,” Harley said loudly.

Helena’s cloudy eyes finally look to her friend. “What?”

“Carmen Rossini basically stole Y/n from you, and you let her!”

As you pulled out of your jeans, you sent Harley a little glare. “No one owned me to begin with,” you snapped.

“Hey, I’m all for women’s rights,” Harley exclaimed. “But it just seemed like—,”

“I know what it seemed like,” you snapped. “That’s the entire goddamn point, isn’t it? Get in her good graces?”

Case choked back her soda. “If that’s your idea of getting in Carmen’s creepy ‘good graces’ you gotta do better than that. You didn’t act sexy or flirt back at all!”

Helena stood to her feet. She brushed down the front of her black zip-up sweater. “I’m waiting outside,” she declares before stomping out with a frown wrung on her mouth.

Harley grimaced as the door slammed shut.

“Kid, come on,” Montoya sighed.

“I’m right,” Cass scowled. “You know that I am. We knew from the start that in order to get the little girl back, sexual favors would probably have to be granted.”

You pulled up your shorts. “Can everyone shut up?” You asked.

“What’s that?” Cass proceeded to ask, given she couldn’t talk about Carmen anymore. She pointed at the arm band that lay over the counter.

“Prajoud,” you tell her. Thank you pulled out of tour shirt. The heavy duty sports bra was already in place, but it gave you major uniboob.

“What does it do?” Cass asked again. Unable to contain her curiosity, she grabbed it off the vanity and fiddled with it. 

“It’s like a belt,” you explained. “Instead of wearing a black belt, I wear a black prajad.” 

“Who come up with that?” Cass asked. 

“Uhm, Thai people?” Harley said as though it should be obvious. She snorted and jerked her thumb towards Cass. “Get a load of this guy.” 

You rolled your eyes. “It’s alright to ask questions, guys, just try not to be annoying. ‘M a little stressed out already.” 

Harley took a final gulp of her soda. “Well, I guess we know who’s not getting action tonight. And that’s Y/n!” 

“Why is Helena so upset anyways? Because Carmen was flirting?” 

“No,” Harley explained. “See, she’s angry because Y/n’s going out and doing this fight, one, without asking her to begin with, two, for some other little kid, and three, with a evil Italian mafia tigress. She’s projecting her childhood fear that she’ll never be able to protect anyone she loves. She’s also rash, irritable, and possessive, so it’s just a cherry on top that the plan includes Y/n using her charms to sway Carmen.” 

“Bravo,” you plainly say. “It’s almost like you’re a doctor or something.” 

“Yeah,” Harley grinned. “Or something.” 

You pulled the prajad over your forearm. You pulled the band tight, holding the laces in your mouth so you could knot it tight with one hand. You looked in the mirror, unsure of what to think of yourself. 

You kicked your boots off next. 

In socks, you turned to look at Harley and Cass. “Let’s do this,” you sighed. 

Helena had been waiting loyally outside, leaned up against the jamb. Her eyes flitted up and down your figure, before rolling up towards the ceiling. “Let’s do this,” you said, sounding as if you’d already lost. 

Marching down the hall in tow of the honey blond Italian, you tried to make eye contact with Helena. She was good at ignoring you. You’re not sure if it’s because she’s angry, stressed, or both. 

Riddled with anxiety, you wish that she would look at you, or hold your hand at the very least. 

At the entrance of the arena, you could see it was filled massively to the brim of its walls. You hadn’t realized how far underground you really are until you looked at the expansive seating. The rink’s seats filled massively, stretching to every wall that bounced the cheering back and forth. 

You stepped to the stairs that wound up to the cage. You could smell the sweat and the matts; above the sound of the crowd cheering, you could hear your blood rushing fast in your ears. 

“Find Ayala,” you muttered in Harley’s ears. “I don’t want to be here longer than we have to be.”

Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief, but they were momentairly dulled by a silent question. “I thought...?”

“No,” you said firmly. “We shouldn’t be here any longer than we have to be,” you tell her. “I’ll stay here, I’ll do my thing; you take everyone and look for that girl. If you’re not done by the time the match is over, I’ll distract Carmen.” 

Harley couldn’t respond by the time you were dragged up the stairs. Outside the cage’s gate, you were given a little table at which you could rest at. It had a pitcher of ice water, some glasses, a washcloth, and a bottle of brandy. You took a large drink of the brandy first. You peeled off your socks. 

It felt like a blur as you stepped into the cage. 

Your opponent was your size; she looked your weight, too. You suppose that’s fair, at least. It’s not like in the movies. The real competitions are done by weight and height. 

You turned your head to give one last glance to your friends. 

Helena stood beyond the cage, her hand resting over the gun holster. Her eyes were fixated on you. 

You had to look away. 

Tying your hair up in a tight bun, you walked out onto the mat. Your opponent did the same; meeting you half way, you two shook hands. 

You didn’t exchange names; that would only make it harder. 

“The rules,” a voice boomed around the stadium, “are there are no weapons to be permitted in the arena. Please watch as the fighters return to their corners then begin the match on the sound of the bell. The match will consist of two rounds, each lasting seven minutes.” 

You hovered in the corner of the cage. You stretched and jogged in place. You have enough training for this. You do. You know that you can do it; hopefully, you will. 

The bell rang. You take a massive sprint out into the middle of the ring where your opponent had already paced out. 

You wound up a punch. Your feet lifted off the mat as you leap into the air, and you delivered the blow to the side of her face. 

Her teeth crunched under the impact. It was such a hit that you saw it spew out of her mouth, and hit the cage. 

The crowd exploded into a frenzy. 

Hovering at your face your hands remained in constant motion. Her kicks were well calculated and her movements tactical. She gave away all of her tricks, though, by looking twice at the target she would next go for. If she looked at your side once too many times, you would crouch and use your arms to block your ribcage. 

The sweat that built up made the more precise attacks difficult. Your punch began sliding off her face, keeping you staggering forward, and in her wide open range. 

You were struck once, twice, then thrice on your left cheek. It sent blood and saliva dribbling down your chin. 

Your prajad began to slip as you struggled to regain your balance. 

The girl’s long leg extended forward. Her foot jabbed a strong thip into the center of your stomach, practically digging against your bladder. 

The bell rang, then, marking the end of the first round. 

You fell into your corner with a wheezing gasp. You crawled for the little table. You drank directly from the pitcher. 

You looked back to the crowd, half expecting to see a flash of unfamiliar faces. 

Helena still remained at the ringside. Her hands are clenched through the cage, and her eyes are desperate to meet yours. You were confused. Why hadn’t she left with Harley? Did Harley not need her? Or did she want to stay and watch? 

You felt stronger with her just a few yards away. 

You staggered to your legs, where your knees wobbled like jello on a plate. 

The two minutes of rest time had ended, and the bell rang once more. You slid back rather than go for her first. 

She sauntered to you like a bear, her shoulders hunched and her fists close to her face. She swung hooks and uppercuts that you could just barely dodge. You were close to slipping backwards a few times. 

“Y/n, watch out!” Helena shouted suddenly. 

You couldn’t see the girl racing towards you like a battering ram through your blurry vision. Her fist slammed over your temple. You swore you could feel your brain tumbling around your skull as you fell to the floor. 

You clutched your ear with your bare hands. Pain gushed out of you like water. You thought you could see it, visibly, as it poured down bright green and crystalline. 

It wasn’t there; it was the spots dancing in front of you. Disorientation is a real bitch. 

One tactical standup later, you’re back up on your feet. You pushed yourself forward, forcing the remaining energy you had out of your hands. You grabbed the girl by her long pony tail and dragged her into a tight clinch. She attempted to swim out of it; the friction of her wrists against your neck burned. 

You tugged her down, driving a sharp knee into her stomach. She stayed in your clinch for a long time, gasping for air as she couldn’t evade the knees. You finally released her. She staggers back. She falls onto her ass, visibly shaken up and at a loss for breath. 

The crowd began to scream at you. Some did a countdown, others urged the other girl to get back up. 

It was too late for her. 

The bell rang, marking the end of the seven minutes, as well as the second round. She had lost, and you had won. 

You limped towards her. Despite your own pain, you lifted the girl onto her feet. 

“Good game?” she rasped. 

“Hell yeah,” you wheezed. 

It felt like the ultimate orgasm to go back and gulp down the water. The cold, damp washcloth made a good compress for your busted lip. You judged by the twitching of your left eyelid that you had a pretty sizable welt there. 

Helena ran to meet you as you limped down the stairs out of the cage. She threw her arms around you tightly. “You’re alright,” she gasped. 

You tried to hug her back. Your arm hung loosely over her lower back as you tried to laugh. “Did you doubt that I would be?” you asked her. “Where’s Harley and Cass? Montoya?” 

“They went to find the girl,” Helena said in your ear. “I couldn’t leave you...I had to stay and watch. I had to make sure.” 

She pressed a kiss into the crook of your neck. “Let’s go,” you said firmly, “before Carmen comes for us.” 

Helena helped you leave the arena. By the time you vanished, the stadium was already announcing it’s second match, featuring a woman named Selina. The people went into a hectic frenzy of excitement when Selina’s name was announced over the speakers. You knew as you were walking out she would never be able to escape this place. 

Honey-blond-haired Italian guy jogged to keep up with you. “Miss Carmen asks that you wait in the dressing room,” he called out. “Yeah, yeah,” Helena called out. “We’ll be there.” 

He followed you down the hallway, keeping several paces back to maintain a steady watching distance. He paused as he watched you and Helena head straight into the dressing room. 

Sitting on the sofa inside is Harley, Cass, and a little girl sleeping in Harley’s arms. You were shocked. For a four year old girl, Ayala was incredibly small and fragile looking. Her olive skin and auburn hair is just like her elder sister’s. The hollows beneath her eyes are dark and colored by her greenish veins. 

“Let’s scadadle,” Harley hissed as she rose to her feet, though struggling to keep Ayala in her arms. 

You all rushed out of the hallway, quickly as to make it before Carmen could come back from the arena. 

“Where’s the exit?” Cass asked. 

“It’s this way,” Helena says. She pointed straight down the hallway. “The car’s waiting for us above the trap door.”

“Yeah, unless someone stole it,” Cass mocked. “What if we get locked in? Like in Hotel California?” 

You could hardly begin to understand what Cass was saying. Her words were jumbles of sounds and her figure a blur of her dark hair and red jacket. 

“We’re not getting locked in,” Harley exclaimed. “Let’s just get outta here!” 

Helena climbed up the ladder first. She punched the door up, then open. “Give me the kid,” she said quietly. 

Harley struggled to lift Ayala up. 

Helena scooped her easily into her strong arms. Ayala stirred awake and whined as she became more and more aware. “I want to go home,” she mumbled, her voice quiet and empty. 

“We’re taking you home, pumpkin,” Helena assured the little girl. “I’ve got you.” 

As Cass was going up the ladder, a loud clatter arose down the tunnel. “Uh oh, spaghetti-os,” Harley whistled. She pushed you up the ladder next. “I’ll meet you guys up there,” she promised, sounding entirely confident. “Montoya,” she whistled between her teeth. “Feel like doing some target practice?” 

It was the first time all day that Montoya smiled. 

As you climbed up, you heard Harley’s shrill laugh between the shots of two, little handguns.

“Into the car,” you wheezed to Cassie. She looped her arms around your waist to help you limp into your seat. “Buckled in?” you heard Helena ask the little girl. She looked so shy despite all that’s going on. The curls of her hair were brushed behind her ear as Helena held her tightly. “You’re going back to your parents.” 

Harley came running out seconds later. “Let’s get this show on the road,” she exclaimed. 

“You have the keys!” Cassie shouted back. 

Harley jumped into the drivers seat. She honked the horn loudly. “Renee, let’s move it!” 

Montoya was limping a few feet away, struggling to keep up Harley’s pace. She crawled inside and as soon as she did, Harley pressed the gas, and sped away. 

“Smoking is so bad for you, you know that, right?” Harley chastised. “Maybe if you just used the nicotine patches I bought you for Christmas, then you wouldn’t have so much trouble keeping up with us.” 

“Take the patches,” Montoya huffed, “and shove them up your ass.” 

You couldn’t help but laugh. You leaned back into the headrest of the rear seats. Helena held Ayala beside you, stroking her hair gently as she held her cellphone to Ayala’s ear. Her parents were on the other end, and you could hear the cries of relief. 

You met Helena’s gaze, and you managed a smile on your busted mouth. 

“I love you,” you mouth to her. 

“I love you, too,” she replied. 

[foxtennessee59]

Protrader

PTMC is a powerful trading software from creators of Protrader. PTMC gives traders more ways to reach the right decisions on different markets, include Forex. Financial freedom made easy. A mobile first trading and investment platform that integrates with the market exchanges and invests your savings.

If you scroll down you will see that there is a lot of stuff that will help you with your trading here. In addition, we’ll add more as the trading landscape changes and new resources become available. You can click on the logo to the left of the text to open a new tab featuring whatever is being discussed.

Think or Swim

This platform was purchased by TD Ameritrade a number of years ago and is one of the most sophisticated options trading platforms available today. You can also trade stocks and futures with them. If you are into options it is extremely worthwhile to open a small account with them so that you can use their option analyzing tools. In this area, they are well above all but the most expensive option tools out there.

TradeStation

Tradestation has been around for a long time and is well known in the industry. They offer some of the best charting software in the business. You can enter orders right from the software and they support many different order types. You can also trade futures and stocks from the same account.

LightSpeed Trading

These guys are geared toward the active semi-pro or professional trader. You can do all your trading from a single Lightspeed account whether you’re trading equities or options, trading to multiple destinations, or trading for multiple funds. Lightspeed is an introducing broker to Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing, and Wedbush Clearing and Execution.

Interactive Brokers

An excellent broker if you know what you are doing. Their customer service used to have a bad reputation but seems to improved significantly in recent years. They offer very competitive pricing and do expect you to be quite knowledgeable. They are a good choice for experienced active traders. Their commission structure allows easy scaling in and out of positions and they have an extensive set of order type choices.

Ally Invest

This broker tries to combine low commissions with good tools and customer service. There is no commission fee on U.S. listed stocks and ETFs and no ticket fee on option trades and a contract fee of just 50¢ per contract. They started out with the idea of fostering a trading community and claim focus on customer service by offering knowledgeable staff who answer the phone quickly as well as easy access to chat and quick responses to e-mails.

Fidelity

Fidelity has traditionally been more geared toward the investor than the active trader, but over the past five years or so they have also catered more to active traders. While not a direct access broker, their commissions are very competitive. They offer zero commissions on stock and ETF trades and $0.65 per contract on option trades. They also offer more robust customer service than most direct access brokers.

E*Trade

E*Trade is well known for it’s ubiquitous advertising. They have been around for a while and now offer zero commission on stocks and ETFs with $0.65 per contract on options. They claim to cater to all types of traders and have a special platform they call eTrade Pro for active traders.

Tradezero

Tradezero is an offshore broker which allows small accounts to daytrade. There is no commission on limit orders that add liquidity. They clear with Vision Clearing. They offer 6 to 1 leverage. You can read the FAQ here. They have recently opened a US branch with regular leverage and zero commissions as well. As with many brokers, you might want to use them for trade executions but use a separate charting package for your charts.

Schwab

Charles Schwab was the first of the major US full service brokers to switch over to zero commission stock and ETF trading. They charge $0.65 per option contract. They have generally offered superior customer service in tandem with low commission structures over the years and are a very reasonable choice for a broker.

Tastyworks

Tastyworks is a relatively new brokerage started by Tom Sosnoff who was instrumental in starting thinkorswim and sold it to TD Ameritrade. They offer a competitive commission structure which you can check out here. You can use a small cash account to daytrade options and start each day with your settled funds balance as your buying power for the day.

Robinhood

Robinhood is a mobile app that allows you to trade stocks, ETFs, options and crypto. A major feature is that the trades are “commission free”. It looks like they now do their own clearing. You can read about that here. There are some distinct disadvantages to trading off of a phone, but you can also use a full featured platform along with robinhood to help you analyze the market.

TradeStation

The TradeStation platform has been around for many years and originally started out as Omega Charts. For a long time they were way ahead of the competition and likely pushed the evolution of trading platforms forward. They have integrated trading into most aspects of their software, so you can easily trade from the platform which is a very good feature. If you are into backtesting and system building, they have a programming language called EasyLanguage® which allows you to build and test systems. They also provide you with an extensive historical database to facilitate backtesting.

MultiCharts

MultiCharts is a charting and trading platform with a robust set of features. The platform allows backtesting and indicator creation with EasyLanguage. As with many of the better software packages you can do market replay which allows you to practice your trading risk free. It is a very customizable package so you have a lot of flexibility to set up your workspace in a way that suits your trading style.

TC2000

The TC2000 platform has very good clean, sharp looking charting with many added features. The watch lists are also very configurable. Another favorable aspect of this package is that you can add trendlines, etc. and they will still be there the next time you go to the chart. The following is from the TC2000 website: Scan and sort through 1000’s of stocks per second. Screen from hundreds of indicator & fundamental criteria customized with your parameters and time frames. Just follow the step-by-step wizard to build your custom conditions. No programming is required, but you can optionally write condition formulas to refine your results. TC2000 helps you find the charts you are looking for in real-time.

eSignal

eSignal has been around for a long time. They are one of the more pricey packages. Their charting is quite clean looking and their data is pretty good. They used to be at the forefront of charting packages, but others have caught up to them in recent years. You can check out their promo video here

AmiBroker

Amibroker has been around for almost thirty years. It is a charting and back-testing package that is extremely powerful and fast but not especially intuitive. It’s user base is fiercely loyal, but a large percentage of them are quite code savvy. For the average user, there will probably be a steep learning curve. All that would be well and good, except for the fact that the user manual is a bit much to decipher and the tech support is done mostly by e-mail and a yahoo message group of all things! Here is the user database. I would highly recommend this software if it had more user friendly support. The pricing is very reasonable.

Trading View

Here is what Tradingview has to say about their services: Easy and intuitive for beginners, and powerful enough for advanced chartists – TradingView has all charting tools you need to share and view trading ideas. Real-time data and browser-based charts let you do your research from anywhere, since there are no installations or complex setups. Just open TradingView on any modern browser and start charting, learning and sharing trading ideas! It’s basically a community platform for sharing trading ideas and also offers real time charting capabilities.

Medved Trader

Jerry Medved is a programmer who developed and founded “QuoteTracker” years ago and eventually sold it out to TD Ameritrade. QuoteTracker was an excellent charting program that was very reasonably priced and could be had at a discount through various brokers. When Jerry sold it out to TD Ameritrade, he apparently was not able to compete with them for a set amount of time. It appears as though the non-compete is expired because he recently came out with Medved Trader. In the spirit of QuoteTracker, Medved Trader is a full featured, reasonably priced, well put together trading software package. Here is a demo of Medved Trader done by Jerry himself. You can get it for free from some brokerages including TradeKing and Tradier brokerages.

NinjaTrader

NinjaTrader’s platform is a capable charting package with numerous valuable features. You can add indicators and trade off the charts if you like. It facilitates back-testing as well. Here is the platform purchase page. You can download and try out simulated trading for free in order to get to know the platform. It can be configured to work with a number of different brokers and comes free with a NinjaTrader account if you do a certain volume of trades per month.

SierraChart

SierraChart is an excellent charting program which is compatible with a number of broker datafeeds as well as with many third party datafeeds. The price is reasonable and it is possible to trade right from the platform.

Sterling Trader Pro

A professional level platform, Sterling Trader Pro is used by prop firms, broker-dealers, and active traders. You can connect from your desktop, laptop, iPad, iPhone, or Android.

DAS Trader

DAS Trader is a high end trading platform which you can get through many brokers. It’s available on desktop, laptop, iPhone, or Android.

FinViz

These guys provide one of the best free scanners available on the net today. It’s so good, as a matter of fact, that you don’t really have to sign up for their paid service if you don’t want to. Although it seems as though they are geared toward the lower priced stocks when you look at the landing page, you can click on the screener section and set the parameters to your liking. It’s a great tool for getting quick background news and other info on stocks you are interested in. Simply click on the ticker and you’ll get a page with much of the pertinent fundamental information as well as recent news and a daily chart. For more info and intraday charts, you can subscribe for a very reasonable price.

Protrader.com

Trade Ideas

This service is a sort of artificial intelligence trading helper. You get to program the scans according to criteria that fits your scan ideas. If you get stuck, this software has many pre-frabricated scans that you can mix and match. The scanning is very current and you will get as many alerts as you can handle provided you give it enough to look for.

Your Broker’s Stock Scanner

Don’t forget to check out your broker’s scanner. Many brokers license commercial scanning software either in whole or part. You might be surprised how close the results are to those of software you would pay a significant extra fee for. I highly recommend that you check this out first before spending extra money on a paid service.

Protrader Web

Market Watch

MarketWatch is a subsidiary of Dow Jones and Company, the same company that owns the Wall Street Journal and Barrons. Although the news is not timely enough for active day trading, it offers a lot of useful news covering all sorts of things and can give you an overall look at what is happening in the Market. It has a lot of entertaining and fluff news as well.

CNBC

As you already probably know, CNBC is a financial news network covering current events related to the world markets. It is up to you to decide how useful the information presented here is. There is no doubt that there is a lot of “hype” on this station, but they do cover breaking events that are important to daily trading activities. You can find the pertinent info faster with subscriber news services, but a lot of people enjoy watching CNBC for entertainment purposes as well.

Bloomberg

Bloomberg.com is a business news website that covers news pertinent to the Markets as well as business in general. In some ways it is similar to CNBC but more sophisticated with less hype.

Yahoo Finance Economic Calendar

The Yahoo Economic Calendar is a good place to get the run down on what important market related announcements are coming up. If you don’t have this info elsewhere, it’s worth checking out before the market opens. They don’t update the results fast enough for active day traders, but at least you can be aware of when important reports are coming out and adjust your trading accordingly.

World Charts

Allstocks.com is a funky little website that features a lot of useful information for traders. The main page I use on this site is the world charts page which shows a time delayed read out of how the world markets are doing. It’s a quick way to get a snapshot of what occurred overnight around the globe.

Yaba Daba Doo!

Www.protraderinstitute.com

Rebate trading is an equity trading style that uses ECN rebates as a primary source of profit and revenue. Most ECNs charge commissions to customers who want to have their orders filled immediately at the best prices available, but the ECNs pay commissions to buyers or sellers who “add liquidity” by placing limit orders that create “market-making” in a security. Rebate traders seek to make money from these rebates and will usually maximize their returns by trading low priced, high volume stocks. This enables them to trade more shares and contribute more liquidity with a set amount of capital, while limiting the risk that they will not be able to exit a position in the stock.