FXCM Holdings LLC, a global leader in online forex and CFD trading, is holding an automated forex trading demo contest, which begins October 17. Contestants will use FXCM's Strategy Trader platform† to automate their forex trades during a seven week trading period. Registration is now open so you can register for a demo and start coding your strategy.

WHAT IS STRATEGY TRADER?

FXCM Strategy Trader is an automated forex trading platform that allows you to code, backtest, optimize, and trade from one platform. The FXCM Strategy Trader platform is a unique automated forex trading platform and advanced analytical charting package in that the software is absolutely free and no APIs or software bridges are required. Strategy Trader uses the open source C# programming language, allowing you to code and debug in Microsoft Visual Studio™.

HOW DO I CODE IN C# PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE?

FXCM has a dedicated programming services division that is able to leverage its experience and expertise to help clients implement their automated forex strategies.  The group has created guides and resources, such as forexcodesource.com, to assist traders in coding their strategies in C#.  Our programming services department can take on coding projects for traders that have no experience in coding but do have a strategy they would like to implement.

HOW DO I WIN THE STRATEGY TRADER CHALLENGE?

Traders who register and automate their strategies by the open of FXCM's trading day on Sunday, October 17, 2010, can compete in the Strategy Trader Challenge. Prizes will be awarded to the Strategy Trader Expert Advisor (stEA) with the highest gross P/L as of the end of FXCM's trading day on Friday, December 3, 2010.

This contest is a demo contest with prizes for first, second, and third place finishers.

First Place:                  $10,000

Second Place:              $7,000

Third Place:                 $3,000              


Important Dates:

September 7: Contest registration opens. Begin coding and testing your automated strategy to prepare for the first day of the contest.

October 15: A starting balance of $1,000 will be used for the official contest. Therefore, at the close of trading on October 15 contest demo accounts will be automatically reset to $1,000 and any open positions will be settled.

October 17: Contest officially begins when trading opens on Sunday, October 17. Participants should activate their automated strategies for trading. There will be a leader board on the contest homepage, which will update hourly with the current contest leaders.

December 3: Contest trading period ends. Final equity levels will be recorded and prizes will be awarded to the top three contestants.