The Difference of True and False ECN/STP Brokers

Since forex is introduced to the public, traders learn more and more every day. Few years ago, most traders would have no answer if you asked what ECN/STP was. Thanks to the Internet and the free information accessible to public through it, now most traders know how to choose a good broker and what a market maker and ECN/STP brokerage system is.

However, scams never stop cheating. Since most traders look for ECN/STP brokers to open an account with, many scam brokerages that were used to be market maker, call themselves ECN/STP now, just based on some small changes they have made in their systems. They are not true ECN/STP brokers. This is what you have to be aware of. So, what is the difference of a true and a false ECN/STP broker?

ECN stands for Electronic Communications Network. An ECN broker is the one that its platform is electronically connected to the network of international banks or liquidity providers. When you trade forex through such a platform, indeed you are communicating and trading with the real and true international currency market.

STP stands for Straight Through Processing. It means everything from placing the orders to closing them is done automatically and electrically without any manual intervention.

Does it mean that if a broker electronically and without any human intervention connects the platform you install on your computer to another organization called liquidity provider, it is an ECN/STP broker?

Technically speaking yes. It is an ECN/STP broker, because it routes your orders to a liquidity provider electronically and without any human intervention. But what if that so called “liquidity provider” is another market maker broker that belongs to the same company but with a different name or a sister company?

That is still an ECN/STP broker from the electronic and technological point of view. But it is a fake ECN/STP broker, because he routes your orders to another market maker broker that rips you off and shares the profit with him (the broker). Or, it routes your orders to a different system with a different name which indeed belongs to the same company. I mean they take your money from one pocket and put it in another pocket. In both cases, you are not trading with the real currency world. You are dealing with a market maker broker that wants you to lose.

Why do they do this?

They do it because they want to claim they are ECN/STP, not market maker. They proudly advertise it on their sites. As I mentioned, they are ECN/STP from the electronic point of view, but they are market maker indeed.

Who Is a True ECN/STP Broker?

A true ECN/STP broker is the one that its platform is connected to at least one trusted and well-known liquidity providing organization (like Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Citi Bank, Nomura, HSBC) that has nothing to do with brokerage firm and there is no relationship between them. The broker just routes your orders to the liquidity provider. The liquidity provider makes money through the spread and swap and the broker makes money through the commission they charge you. You pay the spread and swap to the liquidity provider, and the commission to the broker.

Nowadays, most true ECN/STP brokers are connected to several liquidity providers at the same time. When you want to place an order, the system automatically chooses the liquidity provider that is offering the best price, and your order will be routed to that liquidity provider. Therefore, your orders will be distributed among several liquidity providers and none of them will have any chance to know your account and go against you in case you make money. That provides the best possible service for you as a trader, and because liquidity providers compete with each other, they offer lower spread every day which is good for retail traders.

Some brokers are true ECN/STP brokers, but they increase the spread in addition to the commission they charge you. What they add to the spread is called markup. They are not allowed to do that, unless they let the clients know. However, many of them don’t inform the clients about this hidden fee and extra charge and when you ask them why the spread is too high, they answer that it is the market’s normal spread, which is a lie. So, even a true ECN/STP broker can cheat you too. Read this: 6 Ways Forex Brokers Cheat You.

So, when you want to choose a broker, make sure it is a true ECN/STP broker first. Also ask them if they charge markups or not. You have to ask them about this and ask for proofs. In case they refused to give you a good answer, don’t open an account with them.

Good luck :)

How to Classify a True ECN Broker

Forex is a very lucrative market and it is attracting people everyday who are eager to invest their hard earned money and make it big in short span of time.  

Due to it's high interest among public, new Forex brokers are appearing in the market continuously. 

There are countless number of Forex brokers in the trading world so choosing the right one is absolutely crucial to start your trading journey.

In my previous article, I have already stated the basic steps to choose a broker that would keep your trading safari less dreadful and help you achieve your goals without worrying about external factors. After getting useful comments from knowledgeable community members and gaining experience through research and trying out multiple brokers, I am confident that ECN brokers are way more suitable than Market Markers.

What is an ECN Broker ?

The word ECN is an abbreviation for Electronic Communications Network.

It provides a marketplace where people or organizations from different parts of the world gather to compete bid and offer against each other thus providing small spreads for traders.

It is always advisable to pick an ECN broker due to the fact that they will never trade against you like Market Makers.

Their main source of income is through "commission" so they absolutely don't care if your trades win or lose.

However, there are many brokers who claims to be an ECN broker to grab clients when they are actually not. This is a very serious cause of concern and We traders must initiate proper steps in identifying them.

This would not only help to eradicate scam brokers but will also improve your percentage of return in the long run. 

How to Identify True ECN Brokers ?

I have come across few terms that I would like to share with you all as often new traders get confused by these :-

A) True ECN 
B) ECN by Association 

C) Outright Bucketshop.

These are often used interchangeably by Forex Brokers and traders but if you know the real meaning, your life would become lot easier.

True ECN brokers offers a transparent platform where traders, banks, organizations can compete against each other by sending bids and offers. Traders get the best deal for their orders at that specified time.

ECN by Association acts as a Level 2 brokers that forms a bridge between traders and real marketplace or True ECN brokers. These types of brokers have their own in house platform and can manipulate your trades if they want.

Outright Bucketshop are simply thieves, scams who are out there to steal your money. I have only one word for you if you happen to be with them and that is "good luck" 

MODE OF IDENTIFICATION

- Most traders usually new and gullible ones never read the broker agreement that usually tells you if the broker is a True ECN or ECN by association. All regulated ECN brokers will state that as it is mandatory for them to disclose such information to their clients.

- True ECN brokers will have variable spreads. I'm sorry to tell you if any ECN broker promises to offer fixed spread then it's not a True ECN broker.

- Absolutely NO dealing Dealing Desk if it's an ECN broker. Usually Market Makers have Dealing Desk meaning they will trade against you. Tips : In order to find out if it's a dealing Desk broker open a demo account and a small real account. you will see the pip difference and how much the price varies during news.

- No restriction in setting the distance of Stop Loss or Take Profit. If a broker doesn't allow Scalpers or Day traders take your pick what would that broker be? Yes you're right. That's not an ECN broker.

- Check Forex brokers chart and your order chart. Do you see any difference any BID price? If there is no difference then bingo you're with an ECN broker.

- A True ECN broker always allow traders to place any lot of trades. You can absolutely trust me on this one. Tips : If you really want to find out if it's a True ECN broker, place a trade bigger than 5 standard lots. If the order gets rejected then it's not a True ECN broker.

- Usually True ECN brokers won't promise you big offers and discount while opening an account. Like I said before they would generate revenue through commission regardless of you win or lose your trades.

- True ECN brokers will display all pricing updates every minute as the prices are coming live from the market. Tips : Check the Platform and best would be to compare it with a demo platform as well.

All these tests can be done by anyone to distinguish a True ECN broker from a Fake ECN broker. 

So what does your ECN broker stand for? Electronic Communications Network or Electronic Con for Newbies ? 

If I have missed out on any point, feel free to add them and let me know as well. We can only make our trading journey beautiful by helping each other.

- If your Broker is giving you only negative slippages then it's not a True ECN broker. Slippage is an usual occurrence and that's pretty normal in a True ECN market. Slippage can be both positive as well as negative.

Cheers !