#forex 2019

[binary-scams]

Federal court fines operator of binary options scam $561K

A federal court in Ohio has ordered Jared Davis to pay $561,971 in restitution to the victims of a fraudulent scheme. Davis is the mastermind of a $10 million binary options scam. The individual operated fraudulent binary options brands: Option King, Options Mint, and Option Queen.

Federal court fines $561K to the mastermind of a binary options scam

Davis operated this scheme between 2012 and 2016 under Erie Marketing, LLC. According to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the court imposed an order on Friday. The regulator said Davis was also facing a permanent registration and several trading bans.

The judgment also comes after an action was taken against Davis in September 2019. At the time, the CFTC had filed charges against Davis for running a similar scheme. Davis has pled guilty to three counts of personal tax evasion. He has also admitted to 11 counts of wire fraud he committed on behalf of his company known as Erie Marketing

US prosecutors in the Northern District of Ohio initiated the charges facing Davis. The statement released by the CFTC also said that the regulator had earlier said that Davis was sentenced to 30 months in prison in January. He was also charged with subsequent three years of supervised release.

The binary options operator was also targeted with several monetary penalties, with the expected payments totaling around $7 million. According to the regulator, the victims of this scheme would also receive compensation.

“He was also ordered to pay a $300,000 fine, $1,039,208 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and to be jointly and severally liable for the debts of Erie Marketing, LLC, including $656,493.20 in restitution to victims and a $4.4 million fine,” the statement from the CFTC said.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has also said that the case against Davis was still pending. In February 2019, the regulator secured a partial settlement with Davis dependent on the court determining the disgorgement and civil penalties at a later date.

Davis operated a $10M scam

The derivatives regulator said Davis operated this scam using internet and website marketing campaigns. The activities targeted investors based in the US and other countries. He promoted trading opportunities on off-exchange binary options on commodities, forex, indices, and stocks.

However, the binary options executive also had other plans, as he made several misrepresentations and hid access to material facts about the trading activities. He failed to reveal that he took opposing positions on each trade. The CFTC also said that Davis severally manipulated the settings of his options trading software to raise the odds of customers making losses.

The charges against Davis come as David Butler, the operator of binary options companies like SpotFN and Binary FN, pled guilty to defrauding investors of $2.9 million using binary options schemes. John Black, another individual based in California, was also ordered to pay $29 million in restitution and penalties.

Franklin Calvo

[questforbalance]

ARMIN ORDODARY AND THE FSM SMART FRAUD

Media released a request for information about the broker fraud FSM Smart and its operator, Armin Ordodary, at the beginning of March 2017. We did, in fact, learn some important facts. After speaking with insiders, we were given the assurance that Armin Ordodary would merely serve as a front for a bigger organization. Not long after we requested it, FSM Smart modified its domain. The fact that the Scam Broker is still active online is another reality. We must reiterate our request for information because this is intolerable.

VERIFIED FSM INTELLIGENCE REGARDING ARMIN ORDODARY

Following the most recent call, we were informed that Armin Ordodary was the manager and founder of both the white-label broker platform provider NepCore and the SIAO Group. In the interim, both businesses have shut down their websites.

We have received confirmation that Armin Ordodary is a manager and shareholder of DOO, the upmarket Serbian company. This is purportedly a marketing firm that introduces fresh victims to broker scams, not a boiler room.

It has come to our attention that the Iranian-born resident of Cyprus and his businesses are merely a small component of a worldwide criminal network.

Information about the illicit broker scheme FSM Smart (www.fsmsmart.com) and its aggressive client acquisition strategy through Upmarket d.o.o., a Serbian boiler room, was provided to the media by whistleblowers. Benrich Holdings Ltd., a company based in Cyprus, is the sole shareholder in this boiler room. Armin Ordodary, a resident of Cyprus, is a director of both companies.

THE WARNINGS TO INVESTORS ABOUT ARMIN ORDODARY

Early in 2018, the illicit broker was introduced. Currently, investors are advised not to participate in the FSM Smart scheme (www.fsmsmart.com and http://www.fsmsmartscams.com).

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) warned investors against the plan in March of 2019.

ASIC, an Australian agency, warned investors not to participate in the broker scheme in April 2019.

August 2018: A warning was released by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) of New Zealand.

October 2018: A warning was issued by FINMA, Switzerland’s financial market supervisory authority.

November 2018: The Manitoba-based Canadian watchdog, MSC, issued a warning to investors about FSM Smart.

According to reports, the FSM Smart contact address is Hertensteinstrasse 51, 6004 Luzern in Switzerland.

FSM SMART (ARMIN ORDODARY'S BRAINCHILD)

As one of the oldest and most innovative Forex brokers in the world, FSMSmart has elevated the entire industry to new heights. Both FSMSmart and its operations manager, FSM Smart Ltd., are well-known in the financial services industry.

Over 140 countries worldwide have benefited from the Company's noteworthy and well-founded financial services thanks to its brave service and steadfast dedication.

Because of the company's vast market expertise and experience, FSMSmart provides top-notch services. As we enhance our existing technology to enable the vast and volatile industry to establish a reliable and sound trading system, we continue to give the enormous value of the market to our clients.

The Company's founding members, who have been in the brokerage and forex industries for more than 50 years and who have been directing and instilling values in FSMSmart from its foundation, are financial professionals and adept financial service providers.

FSM Smart is constantly coming up with new ideas and methods to ensure that our clients have a luxurious and fulfilling experience. In addition, the company strives to offer the finest possible trading circumstances and top-notch client support while carefully selecting Account Managers to ensure success in forex trading.

FINANCIAL CONDUCT AUTHORITY

The UK government has no control over the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), a financial regulator that is funded by fees collected from participants in the financial services sector. The FCA protects the integrity of the UK financial markets by regulating financial companies that offer services to consumers.

It focuses on how financial services companies, both retail and wholesale, are expected to behave. Similar to the FSA, which it replaced, the FCA is set up as a company limited by guarantee.

To establish regulatory standards for the financial industry, the Financial Policy Committee, the Prudential Regulation Authority, and the FCA collaborate. The FCA is responsible for the conduct of around 58,000 businesses which employ 2.2 million people and contribute around £65.6 billion in annual tax revenue to the economy in the United Kingdom.

[starseedfxofficial]

**Why Most Traders Overlook Money Flow Index and HFT (And How You Can Profit) Let’s face it, Forex trading can be a bit like joining a gym in January: full of good intentions but often leading to quick burnout. If you've ever taken a look at the Money Flow Index (MFI) and thought, “Nah, that's as confusing as trying to understand avant-garde art,” you're not alone. Many traders skip this tool in favor of more well-known indicators. But today, we're pulling back the curtain on the mysterious MFI, especially in conjunction with High-Frequency Trading (HFT). Get ready to see why it’s not just a forgotten relic—it’s the secret weapon you've been missing. But here's where the real magic happens... we’ll sprinkle a bit of humor, add a dash of unconventional wisdom, and serve it up with some honest-to-goodness proven techniques. And hey, if we happen to bust a few myths, it's just because we love telling traders, "Nope, you’ve been doing that wrong." (In the most loving, mentor-like way, of course!) The Hidden Formula Only Experts Use Money Flow Index—or MFI, for those of us with an aversion to long phrases—is basically like a bouncer at an exclusive club, deciding who gets to enter. It tracks the inflow and outflow of money into an asset, using both price and volume to determine whether that asset’s looking “hot” or “not.” Think of MFI as your trusty sidekick—when everyone’s hyping a trade, it’ll be the friend to tug your sleeve and whisper, “Maybe don’t buy into this FOMO just yet.” And here’s the secret: most traders think of MFI as just a sentiment tool, but if you mix it with High-Frequency Trading tactics—the kind where you're essentially playing financial ping-pong at lightning speed—it can reveal something so spectacular that even the big-time institutional traders don’t want you to know about. It’s like seeing the magician’s hidden trick beneath their flashy cape. How High-Frequency Trading Unlocks MFI’s Hidden Potential You know that scene in every bad movie where someone runs into the basement, and the lights flicker ominously? That’s what manual traders often feel like when they try to compete with HFTs. These High-Frequency Trading bots are the financial market’s equivalent of caffeine-fueled, speed-demon robots, executing thousands of trades in seconds. Scary, right? But here’s the funny part: most traders think HFTs have nothing to do with indicators like MFI. In reality, HFTs are not immune to the nuances that drive regular money flow. When HFT bots are at play, you’ll often notice the MFI making strange zigzags as money enters and exits quickly. By understanding the Money Flow Index at a granular level, you can predict when these bots are likely to enter or leave a market. In simple terms, it's like knowing when the superhero is about to burst through the door and dramatically change the scene. Next time you see MFI suddenly spike while the price barely moves, it’s a telltale sign that HFT bots are positioning. Picture it like witnessing a flock of birds all turning at the same time—when they make their move, it's a good idea to follow. The Forgotten Strategy That Outsmarted the Pros Back in 2019, a study by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) revealed a peculiar anomaly—markets seemed to be front-run by algorithms that used unconventional metrics, including the Money Flow Index. These bots could anticipate when the market had “overheated” and acted accordingly, scooping profits like they were taking candy from a baby. The result? Regular traders got caught buying at the top and selling at the bottom. Familiar story, right? Here’s the ninja move: set up alerts whenever MFI breaches the 80-level (overbought) or the 20-level (oversold) specifically during peak trading hours (like London or New York open). You’re not just following the herd; you’re preparing to cash in when the HFT bots decide the party’s over. It’s a bit like hanging around the snack table, knowing full well that the hosts are about to announce it’s “take leftovers home” time. The One Simple Trick That Can Change Your Trading Mindset The trick here is to think like an HFT. Most traders get emotionally involved—something that’s like eating a bag of chips while telling yourself you’ll stop after just one. Instead, adopt the heartless logic of a machine. Set automated alerts, trust the math, and, importantly, use the MFI as an early warning system, not as a crystal ball. Too many traders look at MFI and think, “If it’s at 85, I have to sell.” Instead, consider that an opportunity to watch. If you see a price action divergence (i.e., price still climbing but MFI dropping), it’s time to get ready to take action. It’s like that moment in a rom-com when the audience knows the breakup is coming—you’re prepared, even if the characters aren’t. How to Predict Market Moves with Precision There’s a contrarian angle to MFI that’s surprisingly effective. When MFI and price action agree, most traders relax. They think all’s good, birds are chirping, and the market is predictable. That’s precisely the moment you should start worrying. History tells us—whether it’s a market or a bad love story—that the calm precedes the storm. Instead of passively waiting, use HFT data (yep, that data isn’t as unattainable as you think!) to notice liquidity gaps. Liquidity gaps occur when the market thins out, and there’s a lot of movement but not a lot of volume backing it. HFT bots are notorious for playing in these gaps—it’s like how toddlers make a beeline for anything breakable as soon as mom turns her back. Pair this insight with MFI: if you notice MFI dropping sharply but price stays stable, it’s often a signal that bots are sneaking in or out through the backdoor. Get ready to pounce. It’s like showing up just as a “buy one, get one free” shoe sale begins—you’re ahead of the crowd, but only just. Why Most Traders Get It Wrong (And How You Can Avoid It) The biggest mistake traders make with the Money Flow Index is taking it too literally. If MFI were a person, it’d be the mysterious acquaintance who speaks in riddles. You know the type—always seems to know a little more than they’re letting on. Traders often interpret a reading of 20 as, “Buy now, everyone else is selling!” But what it’s really saying is more along the lines of, “Some people are freaking out, which could make for a good opportunity... or a complete dumpster fire.” Instead of assuming MFI is an all-or-nothing indicator, understand its nuances. It’s great for highlighting when liquidity is entering or exiting an asset, and particularly good when paired with other data points—like HFT activity. The beauty of this combination is it allows you to see when the bots are paving the way for a big move. It’s like watching someone lay down a trail of breadcrumbs right before they announce a scavenger hunt. Wrap-Up: Use the Power of MFI to Trade Like an Insider We’ve gone deep into the hidden vault of trading wisdom today, and if you're still with me, congratulations—you’re already way ahead of the average trader. MFI, when wielded with the speed and precision of HFT tactics, is a powerful tool. It helps you see the unseen, avoid the herd, and laugh as the “big players” fall into traps you’ve already sidestepped. And hey, who doesn't want to feel like they’re getting away with something? If you’re ready to go deeper, get insider tips, exclusive tactics, and daily alerts that can supercharge your Forex game, consider joining our community over at StarseedFX. We provide expert analysis, free tools like our smart trading calculator, and even a free trading plan to help you turn theory into practice. No one said trading was easy, but it doesn’t have to be humorless either. And if you’re smart—and a little unconventional—you just might find it’s not so scary after all. —————– Image Credits: Cover image at the top is AI-generated Read the full article

[evenpurepotential]

ARMIN ORDODARY AND THE FSM SMART FRAUD

Media released a request for information about the broker fraud FSM Smart and its operator, Armin Ordodary, at the beginning of March 2017. We did, in fact, learn some important facts. After speaking with insiders, we were given the assurance that Armin Ordodary would merely serve as a front for a bigger organization. Not long after we requested it, FSM Smart modified its domain. The fact that the Scam Broker is still active online is another reality. We must reiterate our request for information because this is intolerable.

VERIFIED FSM INTELLIGENCE REGARDING ARMIN ORDODARY

Following the most recent call, we were informed that Armin Ordodary was the manager and founder of both the white-label broker platform provider NepCore and the SIAO Group. In the interim, both businesses have shut down their websites.

We have received confirmation that Armin Ordodary is a manager and shareholder of DOO, the upmarket Serbian company. This is purportedly a marketing firm that introduces fresh victims to broker scams, not a boiler room.

It has come to our attention that the Iranian-born resident of Cyprus and his businesses are merely a small component of a worldwide criminal network.

Information about the illicit broker scheme FSM Smart (www.fsmsmart.com) and its aggressive client acquisition strategy through Upmarket d.o.o., a Serbian boiler room, was provided to the media by whistleblowers. Benrich Holdings Ltd., a company based in Cyprus, is the sole shareholder in this boiler room. Armin Ordodary, a resident of Cyprus, is a director of both companies.

THE WARNINGS TO INVESTORS ABOUT ARMIN ORDODARY

Early in 2018, the illicit broker was introduced. Currently, investors are advised not to participate in the FSM Smart scheme (www.fsmsmart.com and http://www.fsmsmartscams.com).

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) warned investors against the plan in March of 2019.

ASIC, an Australian agency, warned investors not to participate in the broker scheme in April 2019.

August 2018: A warning was released by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) of New Zealand.

October 2018: A warning was issued by FINMA, Switzerland’s financial market supervisory authority.

November 2018: The Manitoba-based Canadian watchdog, MSC, issued a warning to investors about FSM Smart.

According to reports, the FSM Smart contact address is Hertensteinstrasse 51, 6004 Luzern in Switzerland.

FSM SMART (ARMIN ORDODARY'S BRAINCHILD)

As one of the oldest and most innovative Forex brokers in the world, FSMSmart has elevated the entire industry to new heights. Both FSMSmart and its operations manager, FSM Smart Ltd., are well-known in the financial services industry.

Over 140 countries worldwide have benefited from the Company's noteworthy and well-founded financial services thanks to its brave service and steadfast dedication.

Because of the company's vast market expertise and experience, FSMSmart provides top-notch services. As we enhance our existing technology to enable the vast and volatile industry to establish a reliable and sound trading system, we continue to give the enormous value of the market to our clients.

The Company's founding members, who have been in the brokerage and forex industries for more than 50 years and who have been directing and instilling values in FSMSmart from its foundation, are financial professionals and adept financial service providers.

FSM Smart is constantly coming up with new ideas and methods to ensure that our clients have a luxurious and fulfilling experience. In addition, the company strives to offer the finest possible trading circumstances and top-notch client support while carefully selecting Account Managers to ensure success in forex trading.

FINANCIAL CONDUCT AUTHORITY

The UK government has no control over the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), a financial regulator that is funded by fees collected from participants in the financial services sector. The FCA protects the integrity of the UK financial markets by regulating financial companies that offer services to consumers.

It focuses on how financial services companies, both retail and wholesale, are expected to behave. Similar to the FSA, which it replaced, the FCA is set up as a company limited by guarantee.

To establish regulatory standards for the financial industry, the Financial Policy Committee, the Prudential Regulation Authority, and the FCA collaborate. The FCA is responsible for the conduct of around 58,000 businesses which employ 2.2 million people and contribute around £65.6 billion in annual tax revenue to the economy in the United Kingdom.

[pathwaystopurpose]

Cash for Cyprus! Maxiflex had to pay €370,000 due to potential infractions of the law.

Maxiflex has received allegations of being a major scam. Find out more about the company and its operations in this Gripeo review.

The CySEC declared on December 5, 2020, that a board decision had previously been made on October 5, 2020. It has to do with Israeli Roy Almagor’s Maxiflex Ltd. Maxiflex was required to pay the Republic of Cyprus Treasury €370,000. Although CySEC likes the phrase settlement money, reasonable people would refer to this as a penalty payment. As usual, the CySEC’s statement is incredibly evasive and fails to provide any context for the possible infraction Maxiflex may have committed. Lately, GlobalNetInt suspended the bank accounts of Almagor’s Maxiflex and Maxigrid after they were used as props in broker frauds.

In light of CySEC’s investigations, for potential infractions of The Investment Services and Activities and Regulated Markets Law of 2017, as these appeared between January 2019 and September 2020. More particular, the agreement agreed covered the evaluation of the Company’s adherence to:

Article22(1) of the Law addresses the authorization conditions of article 17(2),17(3), and 17(6) of the Law regarding the organisational requirements that a CIF must adhere to; 

Article 24(1) of the Law addresses conflicts of interest; Article25, paragraphs (1) and (3) of the Law addresses general principles and information to clients; 

Article26, paragraphs (2)(a) and (3)(a) of the Law addresses the evaluation of suitability and appropriateness and client reporting; and 

Article28, paragraphs (1)(a) and (8) of the Law specify the duty to execute orders on terms that are most advantageous to the client.

A settlement of €370.000 has been made with the Company over potential infractions. The €370.000 has been paid by the Company. It should be highlighted that the sums payable under settlement agreements do not belong to CySEC and are instead regarded as revenue (income) of the Republic’s Treasury.

Maxiflex’s Infraction of the Law

Usually, an infraction is when someone violates a law, regulation, or agreement. Therefore, a country found guilty of breaking an international treaty will typically be required to pay a fine. A fee is the only punishment under federal law, where the offence is even less serious than a misdemeanour.

CySEC

Cyprus’s financial regulator is the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, or CySEC for short. The European MiFID financial harmonisation law is complied with by CySEC’s financial regulations and operations as a member state of the EU.

A sizable portion of foreign retail forex brokers are registered with CySEC. Many binary options brokers had previously chosen CySEC as their regulator of choice before 2018.

As a public corporate organisation, CySEC was established in 2001 under section 5 of the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (Establishment and Responsibilities) Law of 2001. CySEC joined the European MiFID regulation at the same time as Cyprus joined the EU in 2004, providing companies registered there access to all European markets. However, the financial regulatory structure that CySEC enforced for what was once thought to be a tax haven was drastically altered upon the EU’s membership and adoption of the Euro.

CySEC issued a regulatory change on May 4, 2012, pertaining to the categorization of binary options as financial instruments. As a result, platforms for binary options that are based in Cyprus—where the majority of them do—had to be subject to regulation. As a result, CySEC became the first financial regulator in the world to officially acknowledge and control binary options as financial instruments.

On July 10, 2019, CySEC permanently prohibited providing binary options trading to retail traders, following the implementation of a temporary ban on the products in July 2018.

Revocation of Maxiflex Ltd.’s authorization by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission

In accordance with section 10(1) of Directive DI87-05 for The Withdrawal and Suspension of Authorization (“DI87-05”), the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (“CySEC”) has notified the Malta Financial Services Authority that, as of October 15, 2021, it has completely suspended Maxiflex Ltd.’s authorization (“the Company”). This is because there are allegations of purported violations of:

According to Section 5(5) of the Investment Services and Activities and Regulated Markets Law of 2017 (the “Law”), the Company appears to be conducting business, engaging in business, and/or facilitating business not specifically authorised by the Company.

Article 22(1) of the Law since it appears that the Company does not always abide by the authorization criteria in sections 9(2) of the Law regarding the eligibility of management body members, 11(1)(b) regarding the suitability of shareholders, and 17(4) and (9) regarding organisational requirements.

As stipulated in section 9 of DI87-05 and for the duration that the suspension of authorization is in effect, the Company is not allowed to:

offer or carry out investment services or activities; 

engage in any kind of business dealings with third parties and take on new clients;

promote itself as an investment services provider.

The following measures by the Company may be taken without violating section 7(a) of DI87-05, so long as they are in accordance with the desires of its current clients:

fulfil all of its clients’ and its own transactions that are in front of it, in compliance with client directives;

refund any money and financial instruments that belong to its clients.

The CySEC ruling of October 15, 2021, which is available on the CySEC website, provides more information about the aforementioned.

[thecreativewildman]

Armin Ordodary and the FSM Smart Fraud Allegations Fact-cheked (2024)

In March 2017, the media published a request for information regarding the broker fraud FSM Smart and its operator, Armin Ordodary. Indeed, we discovered a few noteworthy facts. We received confirmation that Armin Ordodary would just be a front for a larger organization after consulting with insiders. Shortly after we made the request, FSM Smart changed its domain name. Another reality is that the Scam Broker is still functioning on the internet. This is unacceptable, so we must reiterate our request for information.

Verified FSM Intelligence Regarding Armin Ordodary

Following the most recent call, we were informed that Armin Ordodary was the manager and founder of both the white-label broker platform provider NepCore and the SIAO Group. In the interim, both businesses have shut down their websites.

We have received confirmation that Armin Ordodary is a manager and shareholder of DOO, the upmarket Serbian company. This is purportedly a marketing firm that introduces fresh victims to broker scams, not a boiler room.

It has come to our attention that the Iranian-born resident of Cyprus and his businesses are merely a small component of a worldwide criminal network.

Information about the illicit broker scheme FSM Smart (www.fsmsmart.com) and its aggressive client acquisition strategy through Upmarket d.o.o., a Serbian boiler room, was provided to the media by whistleblowers. Berlin Holdings Ltd., a company based in Cyprus, is the only shareholder in this boiler room. Armin Ordodary, a resident of Cyprus, is a director of both companies.

The Warnings to Investors About Armin Ordodary

Early in 2018, the illicit broker was introduced. Currently, investors are advised not to participate in the FSM Smart scheme (www.fsmsmart.com and http://www.fsmsmarts.com).

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) warned investors against the plan in March of 2019.

ASIC, an Australian agency, warned investors not to participate in the broker scheme in April 2019.

August 2018: A warning was released by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) of New Zealand;

October 2018: A warning was issued by FINMA, Switzerland’s financial market supervisory authority;

In November 2018, the Manitoba-based Canadian watchdog, MSC, issued a warning to investors about FSM Smart.

According to reports, the FSM Smart contact address is Hertensteinstrasse 51, 6004 Lucern in Switzerland.

FSM Smart (Armin Ordodary’s Brainchild)

As one of the oldest and most innovative Forex brokers in the world, FSMSmart has elevated the entire industry to new heights. Both FSMSmart and its operations manager, FSM Smart Ltd., are well-known in the financial services industry.

Over 140 countries worldwide have benefited from the Company’s noteworthy and well-founded financial services thanks to its brave service and steadfast dedication.

Because of the company’s vast market expertise and experience, FSMSmart provides top-notch services. As we enhance our existing technology to enable the vast and volatile industry to establish a reliable and sound trading system, we continue to give the enormous value of the market to our clients.

The Company’s founding members, who have been in the brokerage and forex industries for more than 50 years and who have been directing and instilling values in FSMSmart from its foundation, are financial professionals and adept financial service providers.

FSMSmart is constantly coming up with new ideas and methods to ensure that our clients have a luxurious and fulfilling experience. In addition, the company strives to offer the finest possible trading circumstances and top-notch client support while carefully selecting Account Managers to ensure success in forex trading.

Financial Conduct Authority

The UK government has no control over the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), a financial regulator that is funded by fees collected from participants in the financial services sector. The FCA protects the integrity of the UK financial markets by regulating financial companies that offer services to consumers.

It focuses on how financial services companies, both retail and wholesale, are expected to behave. Similar to the FSA, which it replaced, the FCA is set up as a company limited by guarantee.

To establish regulatory standards for the financial industry, the Financial Policy Committee, the Prudential Regulation Authority, and the FCA collaborate. The FCA is responsible for the conduct of around 58,000 businesses which employ 2.2 million people and contribute around £65.6 billion in annual tax revenue to the economy in the United Kingdom.

[spiritofincredible]

Armin Ordodary and the FSM Smart Fraud Allegations Fact-cheked (2024)

In March 2017, the media published a request for information regarding the broker fraud FSM Smart and its operator, Armin Ordodary. Indeed, we discovered a few noteworthy facts. We received confirmation that Armin Ordodary would just be a front for a larger organization after consulting with insiders. Shortly after we made the request, FSM Smart changed its domain name. Another reality is that the Scam Broker is still functioning on the internet. This is unacceptable, so we must reiterate our request for information.

Verified FSM Intelligence Regarding Armin Ordodary

Following the most recent call, we were informed that Armin Ordodary was the manager and founder of both the white-label broker platform provider NepCore and the SIAO Group. In the interim, both businesses have shut down their websites.

We have received confirmation that Armin Ordodary is a manager and shareholder of DOO, the upmarket Serbian company. This is purportedly a marketing firm that introduces fresh victims to broker scams, not a boiler room.

It has come to our attention that the Iranian-born resident of Cyprus and his businesses are merely a small component of a worldwide criminal network.

Information about the illicit broker scheme FSM Smart (www.fsmsmart.com) and its aggressive client acquisition strategy through Upmarket d.o.o., a Serbian boiler room, was provided to the media by whistleblowers. Berlin Holdings Ltd., a company based in Cyprus, is the only shareholder in this boiler room. Armin Ordodary, a resident of Cyprus, is a director of both companies.

The Warnings to Investors About Armin Ordodary

Early in 2018, the illicit broker was introduced. Currently, investors are advised not to participate in the FSM Smart scheme (www.fsmsmart.com and http://www.fsmsmarts.com).

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) warned investors against the plan in March of 2019.

ASIC, an Australian agency, warned investors not to participate in the broker scheme in April 2019.

August 2018: A warning was released by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) of New Zealand;

October 2018: A warning was issued by FINMA, Switzerland’s financial market supervisory authority;

In November 2018, the Manitoba-based Canadian watchdog, MSC, issued a warning to investors about FSM Smart.

According to reports, the FSM Smart contact address is Hertensteinstrasse 51, 6004 Lucern in Switzerland.

FSM Smart (Armin Ordodary’s Brainchild)

As one of the oldest and most innovative Forex brokers in the world, FSMSmart has elevated the entire industry to new heights. Both FSMSmart and its operations manager, FSM Smart Ltd., are well-known in the financial services industry.

Over 140 countries worldwide have benefited from the Company’s noteworthy and well-founded financial services thanks to its brave service and steadfast dedication.

Because of the company’s vast market expertise and experience, FSMSmart provides top-notch services. As we enhance our existing technology to enable the vast and volatile industry to establish a reliable and sound trading system, we continue to give the enormous value of the market to our clients.

The Company’s founding members, who have been in the brokerage and forex industries for more than 50 years and who have been directing and instilling values in FSMSmart from its foundation, are financial professionals and adept financial service providers.

FSMSmart is constantly coming up with new ideas and methods to ensure that our clients have a luxurious and fulfilling experience. In addition, the company strives to offer the finest possible trading circumstances and top-notch client support while carefully selecting Account Managers to ensure success in forex trading.

Financial Conduct Authority

The UK government has no control over the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), a financial regulator that is funded by fees collected from participants in the financial services sector. The FCA protects the integrity of the UK financial markets by regulating financial companies that offer services to consumers.

It focuses on how financial services companies, both retail and wholesale, are expected to behave. Similar to the FSA, which it replaced, the FCA is set up as a company limited by guarantee.

To establish regulatory standards for the financial industry, the Financial Policy Committee, the Prudential Regulation Authority, and the FCA collaborate. The FCA is responsible for the conduct of around 58,000 businesses which employ 2.2 million people and contribute around £65.6 billion in annual tax revenue to the economy in the United Kingdom.

[riseandshinesweetheart]

Armin Ordodary and the FSM Smart Fraud (2024)

Media released a request for information about the broker fraud FSM Smart and its operator, Armin Ordodary, at the beginning of March 2017. We did, in fact, learn some important facts. After speaking with insiders, we were given the assurance that Armin Ordodary would merely serve as a front for a bigger organization. Not long after we requested it, FSM Smart modified its domain. The fact that the Scam Broker is still active online is another reality. We must reiterate our request for information because this is intolerable.

Verified FSM Intelligence Regarding Armin Ordodary

Following the most recent call, we were informed that Armin Ordodary was the manager and founder of both the white-label broker platform provider NepCore and the SIAO Group. In the interim, both businesses have shut down their websites.

We have received confirmation that Armin Ordodary is a manager and shareholder of DOO, the upmarket Serbian company. This is purportedly a marketing firm that introduces fresh victims to broker scams, not a boiler room.

It has come to our attention that the Iranian-born resident of Cyprus and his businesses are merely a small component of a worldwide criminal network.

Information about the illicit broker scheme FSM Smart (www.fsmsmart.com) and its aggressive client acquisition strategy through Upmarkt d.o.o., a Serbian boiler room, was provided to the media by whistleblowers. Benrich Holdings Ltd., a company based in Cyprus, is the only shareholder in this boiler room. Armin Ordodary, a resident of Cyprus, is a director of both companies.

The Warnings to Investors About Armin Ordodary

Early in 2018, the illicit broker was introduced. Currently, investors are advised not to participate in the FSM Smart scheme (www.fsmsmart.com and http://www.fsmsmarts.com).

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) warned investors against the plan in March of 2019.

August 2018: A warning was released by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) of New Zealand;

October 2018: A warning was issued by FINMA, Switzerland’s financial market supervisory authority;

In November 2018, the Manitoba-based Canadian watchdog, MSC, issued a warning to investors about FSM Smart.

According to reports, the FSM Smart contact address is Hertensteinstrasse 51, 6004 Luzern in Switzerland.

FSM Smart (Armin Ordodary’s Brainchild)

As one of the oldest and most innovative Forex brokers in the world, FSMSmart has elevated the entire industry to new heights. Both FSMSmart and its operations manager, FSM Smart Ltd., are well-known in the financial services industry.

Over 140 countries worldwide have benefited from the Company’s noteworthy and well-founded financial services thanks to its brave service and steadfast dedication.

Because of the company’s vast market expertise and experience, FSMSmart provides top-notch services. As we enhance our existing technology to enable the vast and volatile industry to establish a reliable and sound trading system, we continue to give the enormous value of the market to our clients.

The Company’s founding members, who have been in the brokerage and forex industries for more than 50 years and who have been directing and instilling values in FSMSmart from its foundation, are financial professionals and adept financial service providers.

FSMSmart is constantly coming up with new ideas and methods to ensure that our clients have a luxurious and fulfilling experience. In addition, the company strives to offer the finest possible trading circumstances and top-notch client support while carefully selecting Account Managers to ensure success in forex trading.

Financial Conduct Authority

The UK government has no control over the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), a financial regulator that is funded by fees collected from participants in the financial services sector. The FCA protects the integrity of the UK financial markets by regulating financial companies that offer services to consumers.

It focuses on how financial services companies, both retail and wholesale, are expected to behave. Similar to the FSA, which it replaced, the FCA is set up as a company limited by guarantee.

To establish regulatory standards for the financial industry, the Financial Policy Committee, the Prudential Regulation Authority, and the FCA collaborate. The FCA is responsible for the conduct of around 58,000 businesses which employ 2.2 million people and contribute around £65.6 billion in annual tax revenue to the economy in the United Kingdom.

[heartandhorizon]

ARMIN ORDODARY AND THE FSM SMART FRAUD (2024)

Media released a request for information about the broker fraud FSM Smart and its operator, Armin Ordodary, at the beginning of March 2017. We did, in fact, learn some important facts. After speaking with insiders, we were given the assurance that Armin Ordodary would merely serve as a front for a bigger organization. Not long after we requested it, FSM Smart modified its domain. The fact that the Scam Broker is still active online is another reality. We must reiterate our request for information because this is intolerable.

VERIFIED FSM INTELLIGENCE REGARDING ARMIN ORDODARY

Following the most recent call, we were informed that Armin Ordodary was the manager and founder of both the white-label broker platform provider NepCore and the SIAO Group. In the interim, both businesses have shut down their websites.

We have received confirmation that Armin Ordodary is a manager and shareholder of DOO, the upmarket Serbian company. This is purportedly a marketing firm that introduces fresh victims to broker scams, not a boiler room.

It has come to our attention that the Iranian-born resident of Cyprus and his businesses are merely a small component of a worldwide criminal network.

Information about the illicit broker scheme FSM Smart (www.fsmsmart.com) and its aggressive client acquisition strategy through Upmarkt d.o.o., a Serbian boiler room, was provided to the media by whistleblowers. Benrich Holdings Ltd., a company based in Cyprus, is the only shareholder in this boiler room. Armin Ordodary, a resident of Cyprus, is a director of both companies.

THE WARNINGS TO INVESTORS ABOUT ARMIN ORDODARY

Early in 2018, the illicit broker was introduced. Currently, investors are advised not to participate in the FSM Smart scheme (www.fsmsmart.com and http://www.fsmsmarts.com).

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) warned investors against the plan in March of 2019.

ASIC, an Australian agency, warned investors not to participate in the broker scheme in April 2019.

August 2018: A warning was released by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) of New Zealand;

October 2018: A warning was issued by FINMA, Switzerland’s financial market supervisory authority.

In November 2018, the Manitoba-based Canadian watchdog, MSC, issued a warning to investors about FSM Smart.

According to reports, the FSM Smart contact address is Hertensteinstrasse 51, 6004 Luzern in Switzerland.

FSM SMART (ARMIN ORDODARY’S BRAINCHILD)

As one of the oldest and most innovative Forex brokers in the world, FSMSmart has elevated the entire industry to new heights. Both FSMSmart and its operations manager, FSM Smart Ltd., are well-known in the financial services industry.

Over 140 countries worldwide have benefited from the Company’s noteworthy and well-founded financial services thanks to its brave service and steadfast dedication.

Because of the company’s vast market expertise and experience, FSMSmart provides top-notch services. As we enhance our existing technology to enable the vast and volatile industry to establish a reliable and sound trading system, we continue to give the enormous value of the market to our clients.

The Company’s founding members, who have been in the brokerage and forex industries for more than 50 years and who have been directing and instilling values in FSMSmart from its foundation, are financial professionals and adept financial service providers.

FSMSmart is constantly coming up with new ideas and methods to ensure that our clients have a luxurious and fulfilling experience. In addition, the company strives to offer the finest possible trading circumstances and top-notch client support while carefully selecting Account Managers to ensure success in forex trading.

FINANCIAL CONDUCT AUTHORITY

The UK government has no control over the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), a financial regulator that is funded by fees collected from participants in the financial services sector. The FCA protects the integrity of the UK financial markets by regulating financial companies that offer services to consumers.

It focuses on how financial services companies, both retail and wholesale, are expected to behave. Similar to the FSA, which it replaced, the FCA is set up as a company limited by guarantee. To establish regulatory standards for the financial industry, the Financial Policy Committee, the Prudential Regulation Authority, and the FCA collaborate. The FCA is responsible for the conduct of around 58,000 businesses which employ 2.2 million people and contribute around £65.6 billion in annual tax revenue to the economy in the United Kingdom.

[visionarypathways]

Armin Ordodary and the FSM Smart Fraud (2024)

Media released a request for information about the broker fraud FSM Smart and its operator, Armin Ordodary, at the beginning of March 2017. We did, in fact, learn some important facts. After speaking with insiders, we were given the assurance that Armin Ordodary would merely serve as a front for a bigger organization. Not long after we requested it, FSM Smart modified its domain. The fact that the Scam Broker is still active online is another reality. We must reiterate our request for information because this is intolerable.

Verified FSM Intelligence Regarding Armin Ordodary

Following the most recent call, we were informed that Armin Ordodary was the manager and founder of both the white-label broker platform provider NepCore and the SIAO Group. In the interim, both businesses have shut down their websites.

We have received confirmation that Armin Ordodary is a manager and shareholder of DOO, the upmarket Serbian company. This is purportedly a marketing firm that introduces fresh victims to broker scams, not a boiler room.

It has come to our attention that the Iranian-born resident of Cyprus and his businesses are merely a small component of a worldwide criminal network.

Information about the illicit broker scheme FSM Smart (www.fsmsmart.com) and its aggressive client acquisition strategy through Upmarkt d.o.o., a Serbian boiler room, was provided to the media by whistleblowers. Benrich Holdings Ltd., a company based in Cyprus, is the only shareholder in this boiler room. Armin Ordodary, a resident of Cyprus, is a director of both companies.

The Warnings to Investors About Armin Ordodary

Early in 2018, the illicit broker was introduced. Currently, investors are advised not to participate in the FSM Smart scheme (www.fsmsmart.com and http://www.fsmsmarts.com).

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) warned investors against the plan in March of 2019.

August 2018: A warning was released by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) of New Zealand;

October 2018: A warning was issued by FINMA, Switzerland’s financial market supervisory authority;

In November 2018, the Manitoba-based Canadian watchdog, MSC, issued a warning to investors about FSM Smart.

According to reports, the FSM Smart contact address is Hertensteinstrasse 51, 6004 Luzern in Switzerland.

FSM Smart (Armin Ordodary’s Brainchild)

As one of the oldest and most innovative Forex brokers in the world, FSMSmart has elevated the entire industry to new heights. Both FSMSmart and its operations manager, FSM Smart Ltd., are well-known in the financial services industry.

Over 140 countries worldwide have benefited from the Company’s noteworthy and well-founded financial services thanks to its brave service and steadfast dedication.

Because of the company’s vast market expertise and experience, FSMSmart provides top-notch services. As we enhance our existing technology to enable the vast and volatile industry to establish a reliable and sound trading system, we continue to give the enormous value of the market to our clients.

The Company’s founding members, who have been in the brokerage and forex industries for more than 50 years and who have been directing and instilling values in FSMSmart from its foundation, are financial professionals and adept financial service providers.

FSMSmart is constantly coming up with new ideas and methods to ensure that our clients have a luxurious and fulfilling experience. In addition, the company strives to offer the finest possible trading circumstances and top-notch client support while carefully selecting Account Managers to ensure success in forex trading.

Financial Conduct Authority

The UK government has no control over the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), a financial regulator that is funded by fees collected from participants in the financial services sector. The FCA protects the integrity of the UK financial markets by regulating financial companies that offer services to consumers.

It focuses on how financial services companies, both retail and wholesale, are expected to behave. Similar to the FSA, which it replaced, the FCA is set up as a company limited by guarantee.

To establish regulatory standards for the financial industry, the Financial Policy Committee, the Prudential Regulation Authority, and the FCA collaborate. The FCA is responsible for the conduct of around 58,000 businesses which employ 2.2 million people and contribute around £65.6 billion in annual tax revenue to the economy in the United Kingdom.

[oursatellite]

JP Morgan đổi tên nền tảng blockchain, ra mắt dịch vụ ngoại hối on-chain

Công ty dịch vụ tài chính JP Morgan vừa công bố đổi tên nền tảng blockchain của mình thành Kinexys, trong bối cảnh chuẩn bị ra mắt dịch vụ ngoại hối (forex) nhằm đáp ứng nhu cầu ngày càng tăng của người dùng toàn cầu. Được giới thiệu ban đầu dưới tên JPM Coin vào năm 2019 và sau đó đổi thành Onyx, nền tảng blockchain này hiện sẽ cung cấp dịch vụ giao dịch ngoại hối để phục vụ danh sách khách…

[truthblockchain]

JP Morgan Rebrands Its Blockchain Platform

Financial services firm JP Morgan has rebranded its blockchain-based platform to Kinexys, as it prepares to launch foreign exchange services to serve a growing number of users.

Launched as JPM Coin in 2019 and later renamed to Onyx, the blockchain platform will offer forex transactions to serve its expanding list of global clients, JP Morgan said Wednesday in a statement. The blockchain’s user base has skyrocketed as payment transactions grew 1,000% year-over-year, the banking giant said, leading to the need for infrastructure improvements and new services on the network.

According to JP Morgan, the name Kinexys is derived from the word “kinetic,” suggesting the movement of money, assets and financial information across the world. The renamed platform will also offer features including on-chain privacy, identity, and composability-focused tools on its network.

[starseedfxofficial]

The Stochastic Oscillator: Medium-Term Strategies for Traders Who Like to Sleep at Night Ah, the stochastic oscillator—like that friend who keeps whispering predictions at the roulette table, except this one is less tipsy and somewhat more reliable. For those who've danced with Forex trading, you've probably heard about this mystical, line-crossing indicator. But today, we're pulling back the curtain on using it for medium-term trading strategies, because—let's face it—not everyone wants to live in a constant adrenaline rush of scalp trading. Some of us like to sleep. Let's dive in and uncover how this little-known tool can help us glide through the medium-term game with the finesse of a cat burglar in slippers. Why Most Traders Get It Wrong (And How You Can Avoid It) Here’s the thing: many traders treat the stochastic oscillator like a golden ticket to instant profits. They throw it into a chart, see those %K and %D lines making their crossovers, and BAM—they’re buying at oversold and selling at overbought faster than you can say "market whiplash." And then, as predictable as buying an extra-large popcorn you can't finish at the movies, their trades crumble. What they’re missing is context. Medium-term strategies need patience, and the stochastic oscillator thrives in environments where you're not glued to the screen 24/7. The trick is to marry it with other data points, particularly trend indicators, and understand that sometimes, not acting is the best move. Imagine waiting for the perfect wave instead of jumping on every ripple—you know, less "catch anything that moves" and more "ride the perfect one." Hidden Patterns and Secret Signals The real magic in medium-term trading happens when you start to recognize patterns most traders overlook. For example, you could use a moving average to verify the stochastic signal. When the price is above the 200-day moving average and the stochastic dips into the oversold region, guess what? That's often a "discount" shopping opportunity. But when it's below that 200-day average, and the stochastic screams oversold, it's more of a "discounted" two-week-old tuna sandwich—buyer beware. Pro tip: In a sideways market, the stochastic oscillator is your best friend, whispering opportunities without making you paranoid. It's all about picking the right conditions and recognizing that this indicator shines brightest when the market is simply taking a breather. The Forgotten Strategy That Outsmarted the Pros Back in 2019, a mid-sized trader named Carl (not his real name, but let’s pretend it is—Carl’s funny, right?) figured out a twist that few pros were catching onto. Instead of just using the stochastic oscillator for entries, he started using it to predict market exhaustion, specifically during medium-term trends. Carl noticed that during a trend, when stochastic hit overbought but didn’t cross below 80, it signaled exhaustion, not reversal. Meaning—hold your horses; that trend is just taking a breather, not flipping. This allowed him to stick with the trend longer and catch extra pips while others jumped ship prematurely. Carl made himself a tidy profit and slept like a baby. Sometimes, contrarian strategies aren't about doing the opposite—they’re about waiting a little longer and knowing when not to freak out. How to Predict Market Moves with Precision Let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Say you’re trading the EUR/USD, and the stochastic oscillator is flirting with the oversold level while the 50-day moving average says the market’s still bullish. What’s the move? A medium-term trader can view this as a potential buy zone—but only after confirming with additional indicators like the Relative Strength Index (RSI) or a good ol’ Fibonacci retracement to make sure the market isn't secretly scheming against you. Another trick? Divergences. When price makes a higher high but stochastic makes a lower high, it’s not just the indicator having a mood swing. It’s telling you that momentum is waning—an advanced heads-up to start considering an exit or at least to protect those profits. The beauty of this strategy? It’s like knowing the twist in a movie before anyone else, but without the guilt of being a spoiler. The Hidden Formula Only Experts Use Here’s the insider's scoop: the stochastic oscillator’s %K and %D are at their best when combined with ATR (Average True Range). Using ATR, you can filter out the market noise—think of it as the “Do Not Disturb” sign for your trades. When stochastic tells you "buy," and ATR confirms the volatility is manageable (i.e., your heart rate won't spike unexpectedly), that’s when you pounce. It’s like walking into a discount store where there’s no crowd—easy shopping, less elbowing. The experts use this combo to pick times where the price action is about to pivot, but only if the volatility is within predictable ranges. This is how they avoid getting caught in those classic retail trader traps: the fake-outs and emotional whipsaws. Think of it as getting a VIP pass to the secret sale—while everyone else is rushing in, you’re walking out with the best deals. Conclusion: Ride Smooth, Sleep Tight Medium-term trading doesn’t mean you're missing out on the action; it means you’re picking quality over quantity. The stochastic oscillator, when used right, can guide you to moments that have the least stress and maximum probability—kind of like choosing the line at the grocery store that doesn’t suddenly need a price check. Remember, trading isn’t just about wins. It’s about managing losses, catching opportunities, and maybe, just maybe, having enough peace of mind to sleep well at night. Let’s keep it smooth, let’s keep it fun, and let’s always stay one step ahead. —————– Image Credits: Cover image at the top is AI-generated Read the full article

[v-news]

US Operator of Binary Option Brands Fined $516K for $10M Scam

A federal court in Ohio has ordered Jared Davis, the mastermind of a $10 million binary options scam, to pay $561,971 in restitution to defrauded victims. Davis operated the fraudulent binary options brands, Option Mint, Option King and Option Queen, between 2012 and 2016 under Erie Marketing, LLC.

Davis Faces Multiple Fines

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced the court order on Friday, noting that the former Ohio resident was hit with permanent registration and trading bans. The judgment comes after action taken against Davis in September 2019 was filed by the US derivatives markets watchdog.

Separately, Davis pleaded guilty to three counts of personal tax evasion and 11 counts of wire fraud on behalf of his firm, Erie Marketing, all of the charges were initiated by the US prosecutors in the Northern District of Ohio.

In the statement by the CFTC, the regulator noted that Davis earlier in January was sentenced to 30 months' imprisonment and a subsequent three years of supervised release. Alongside his company, the binary options operator was hit with other multiple monetary penalties with expected payments now totaling about $7 million.

“He was also ordered to pay a $300,000 fine, $1,039,208 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and to be jointly and severally liable for the debts of Erie Marketing, LLC, including $656,493.20 in restitution to victims and a $4.4 million fine,” the CFTC explained, giving a breakdown of the other penalties.

On the other hand, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s case against Davis remains pending, the CFTC said. The securities regulator in February 2019 had entered a partial settlement with Davis based on conditions that the court “will determine disgorgement and civil penalties at a later date.”

How Davis Ran the $10M Scam: CFTC According to the CFTC, Davis perpetrated the scam by deploying internet and website marketing campaigns as well as call centre operators. His activities targeted investors in the US and other countries, touting trading opportunities in off-exchange binary options on commodities, forex, stocks and indices.

However, the binary options executive had other plans as he made ‘misrepresentations’ and hid ‘material facts’ about the trading business from investors. For instance, he failed to disclose that he “effectively took the opposing positions on each trade,” the CFTC said, adding that Davis behind the scenes frequently manipulated the settings of his options trading software in order “to increase the odds of customers losses."

Meanwhile, David Butler, the operator of binary options firms, SpotFN and Binary FN, recently pleaded guilty to defrauding investors of $2.9 million through binary options schemes. Furthermore, California-based John Black and his affiliated firms were recently slapped with over $29 million in restitution and penalties.

[marketwizards]

In-Depth Exploration of Additional Trading Strategies: Arbitrage, Breakout Trading, News-Based Trading, Swing Trading, and Carry Trade

Beyond the core strategies such as Trend Following, Range Trading, and Momentum Trading, there are other trading strategies that capitalize on market inefficiencies, volatility, and macroeconomic factors. In this essay, we will explore five additional trading strategies—Arbitrage, Breakout Trading, News-Based Trading, Swing Trading, and the Carry Trade. Each strategy requires a different approach to risk management, market analysis, and timing, and we will examine these in detail with real-world examples and evidence to illustrate their effectiveness.

1. Arbitrage

Arbitrage is a trading strategy that seeks to profit from price discrepancies between two or more markets or assets. Traders using this strategy buy an asset in one market where it is underpriced and simultaneously sell it in another market where it is overpriced, locking in a risk-free profit. Arbitrage is typically executed by institutional traders or hedge funds due to the high speed and precision required to exploit small price differences.

How It Works:

Arbitrage opportunities can arise due to inefficiencies in pricing, exchange rates, or delays in market reactions. Triangular arbitrage, for example, occurs when discrepancies arise between currency exchange rates in three different currencies. Statistical arbitrage takes advantage of price deviations between related assets such as stocks and their futures contracts.

Real-World Example:

One notable form of arbitrage is cryptocurrency arbitrage. Cryptocurrency prices can vary across different exchanges due to market fragmentation and liquidity differences. For instance, in 2017, during the height of the cryptocurrency boom, Bitcoin could be purchased on Kraken for $15,000 and simultaneously sold on Coinbase for $15,500. Traders who capitalized on this price discrepancy by executing buy and sell orders across exchanges earned profits almost instantly.

Evidence:

The high-frequency trading (HFT) industry has long utilized arbitrage strategies to exploit minuscule price differences in equities, futures, and forex markets. Firms like Renaissance Technologies and Citadel rely on cutting-edge technology and lightning-fast execution to profit from arbitrage opportunities that are otherwise too small or fleeting for retail traders to capitalize on. Arbitrage remains one of the cornerstones of market efficiency, ensuring that prices remain aligned across global markets.

2. Breakout Trading

Breakout trading is a strategy that aims to capture significant price movements that occur after an asset breaks through a critical support or resistance level. Breakouts are often accompanied by an increase in volatility and volume, providing momentum for traders to enter positions and profit from the ensuing trend.

How It Works:

Breakout traders look for periods of consolidation, during which the price moves within a tight range. When the price breaks above a resistance level or below a support level, the trader enters a position in the direction of the breakout, expecting the price to continue moving strongly in that direction. Volume confirmation is often used to validate the breakout and reduce the likelihood of false signals.

Real-World Example:

A famous example of a breakout trade occurred in the Tesla (TSLA) stock in early 2020. After a period of sideways movement around the $300 level, Tesla’s stock price broke out above this resistance point in late 2019, fueled by positive earnings reports and strong forward guidance. The stock then surged to over $1,500 by mid-2020, offering substantial profits for traders who entered during the breakout phase.

Evidence:

Breakout trading is particularly effective in markets where price movements are driven by fundamental factors such as earnings reports or macroeconomic events. Research by Elder (2002) in his book Come Into My Trading Room highlights the success of breakout strategies in volatile markets, particularly when used in conjunction with volume indicators to filter out false breakouts. Breakouts are often the precursors to significant trends, making them a valuable tool for trend-following traders as well.

3. News-Based Trading

News-based trading is a strategy that involves taking positions in financial markets based on the release of significant news or economic reports. Traders using this strategy attempt to capitalize on sharp price movements triggered by macroeconomic data, earnings announcements, political events, or other news that can influence market sentiment.

How It Works:

News-based traders monitor economic calendars, corporate earnings reports, and geopolitical developments. When important news is released (e.g., the U.S. Non-Farm Payroll report or the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision), the market can experience sudden price changes. News traders react quickly to this information, entering positions to profit from the volatility that follows.

Real-World Example:

A notable example of news-based trading occurred during the Brexit referendum in 2016. When the results of the referendum were announced, with the U.K. voting to leave the European Union, the value of the British pound (GBP) plummeted, falling from $1.50 to below $1.30 against the U.S. dollar within hours. Traders who positioned themselves ahead of the announcement or reacted quickly to the news were able to capitalize on the extreme volatility.

Evidence:

Studies have shown that markets often overreact to news, providing opportunities for both immediate and subsequent corrective trades. According to Tetlock (2007) in the paper "Giving Content to Investor Sentiment: The Role of Media in the Stock Market," news reports and media sentiment significantly influence stock prices and trading volume. Algorithmic trading firms, such as Two Sigma, have developed sophisticated systems that parse news headlines and data in real-time, executing trades based on the perceived impact of news events.

4. Swing Trading

Swing trading is a medium-term strategy that aims to capture gains from short-term price movements, typically over a period of a few days to a few weeks. Swing traders seek to profit from market "swings," identifying peaks and troughs where they can buy low and sell high (or sell high and buy low in a downtrend). Unlike day trading, which involves closing positions within the same trading day, swing trading allows traders to hold positions longer to capture more significant price moves.

How It Works:

Swing traders use technical analysis tools like moving averages, stochastic oscillators, and Fibonacci retracements to identify potential entry and exit points. They focus on both upswings and downswings in the market, aiming to catch as much of the price movement as possible before the trend reverses.

Real-World Example:

During the March 2020 stock market crash, caused by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, swing traders took advantage of the extreme volatility. After the initial crash, many stocks rebounded sharply. Traders who entered positions in oversold stocks like Microsoft (MSFT) or Alphabet (GOOGL) during the market lows in March and sold them during the market's recovery in May made substantial profits.

Evidence:

Swing trading is effective in both trending and ranging markets, as it focuses on shorter-term price reversals. Research from Chan and Fong (1996) found that swing trading strategies using momentum and price patterns significantly outperformed buy-and-hold strategies during periods of market volatility. The strategy works well across asset classes, from equities to commodities and foreign exchange, as it allows traders to capitalize on short- to medium-term price movements without being overly exposed to long-term market risks.

5. Carry Trade

The carry trade is a strategy commonly used in the foreign exchange (forex) market, where traders borrow in a low-interest-rate currency and invest in a higher-interest-rate currency. The goal is to profit from the interest rate differential between the two currencies while also potentially benefiting from favorable exchange rate movements.

How It Works:

Traders typically borrow in currencies like the Japanese yen (JPY) or Swiss franc (CHF), which have historically low interest rates, and invest in currencies like the Australian dollar (AUD) or New Zealand dollar (NZD), which offer higher yields. The carry trade generates profits from both the interest rate differential and any appreciation in the higher-yielding currency.

Real-World Example:

A well-known period of carry trade profitability was during the 2003–2007 global economic boom when investors borrowed in yen at near-zero interest rates and invested in higher-yielding currencies like the AUD. The trade was highly profitable as the interest rate differential provided a steady return, and the AUD appreciated significantly against the yen due to global economic growth.

Evidence:

The carry trade can be a lucrative strategy, but it also carries risks, especially during periods of market turmoil. For example, during the 2008 global financial crisis, carry trades unwound rapidly as risk aversion surged, causing high-yielding currencies to plummet in value against low-yielding currencies like the yen. Research by Brunnermeier et al. (2009) highlighted the carry trade's vulnerability to "sudden stops," where sharp reversals in currency movements can lead to significant losses.

Conclusion

The five trading strategies explored here—Arbitrage, Breakout Trading, News-Based Trading, Swing Trading, and the Carry Trade—each offer unique opportunities to profit from different market conditions and price movements. Arbitrage exploits market inefficiencies, while Breakout Trading capitalizes on volatility following key price levels. News-Based Trading leverages market-moving events, and Swing Trading focuses on short-term price fluctuations. Finally, the Carry Trade profits from interest rate differentials between currencies, though it carries exposure to exchange rate risks.

Success in these strategies depends on understanding the specific market conditions, using the appropriate tools for analysis, and implementing effective risk management practices. When executed with discipline and precision,

[scam-times]

Jared Davis charged with $10 million fraud

Here we go again, the CFTC or Commodity Futures Trading Commission busted well-known Options hustler, Jared Davis of Sandusky, Ohio.

Additionally, in a concurrent filing, the United States Attorney filed a 22-count indictment for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to launder money, wire fraud, money laundering, obstruction of justice, and tax evasion.

For most of us, September 17, 2019, was like every other day. We spent the day making our football picks, tried to scrape out profits from the stock market. However, for poor Jared Davis, he spent the day in the back of a police car. All shackled up like a Hawaiian pig at an $8 luau.

Yep, Jared got arrested. We heard from witnesses, the FBI woke him up at 4 am. The wife and kids were wild-eyed, screaming, and terrified as the badges and guns moved throughout the fancy house. They took all the computers, phones, papers, and any evidence laying about. Most importantly, they took Jared. And since Jared was a prick, they waddled him out to the police cruiser — still in his underwear.

Getting arrested by the FBI at 4 am is fucking scary. I should know.

What exactly did Jared Davis do wrong?

According to the FBI and the United States Attorney court filings, Jared had been operating a phony Forex, Contracts For Difference, and Binary Options brokerage out of his house, and a boiler room located in downtown Sandusky.

How did the scheme work? Glad you asked. Beginning in about 2014 through the present, Jared was running an unlicensed and unregistered stocks, options, and Forex brokerage.

Who needs to bother with registering with the SEC or the CFTC anyway!? That’s a waste of time, and those pesky regulations meant to protect investors — who needs those? ( I am being satirical)

In the past few years, drafted quite a few articles about the “white label” phony brokerage industry. What the heck is a “white label” phony brokerage? In a nutshell, offshore companies plug financial data into a piece of software that looks like a real brokerage, in every imaginable way, except it is not real. Instead, it’s just a video game where retail traders can open accounts and execute “live” trades on the platform.

The problem is that these “white label” trading platforms are incredibly easy to manipulate so that the investor is virtually guaranteed to lose. Think of it like a slot machine at an Indian casino, at any time, the casino can flip a switch and the machine simply stops paying. Or, they can rig the machine so that your “penny” bets pay at a higher frequency, but the moment you start upping it to “quarter” bets, the machine tightens up like a straight butthole at a gay bar.

Fraudulent “live trading room”

The scam was clever. Jared Davis had several living trading rooms and affiliate marketing agreements where 3rd parties would provide “education and trading signals” to the retail investor.

The educational component supposedly taught people how to use technical analysis to predict the stock market. The victim would be given the educational products in hopes of luring the victim into actually taking trades.

The “live trading room” would be the “education in action” where the victim would watch the moderators supposedly execute live trades. The victim would watch the supposedly profitable trades and attempt to replicate the moderator.

However, the moderator was using a version of the software that virtually guaranteed that the moderator’s trades would be successful, while the trades of victims would be harder to execute. The victim would continue to attempt to replicate the moderator at ever-worsening prices. All the while, the moderator would enthusiastically encourage the victims in live chat to “get your orders filled” no matter the cost.

Additionally, the live trading rooms contained “shills” that would hype the results by declaring themselves also profitable. However, the “shills” were nothing more than a staged audience.

The end result was predictable. The moderator, who represented the phony brokerage would nearly always be successful. While the customers would always lose.

Some customers were actually good at trading, they still got screwed

According to the criminal indictment, some of the customers never participated in the “live” trading room and instead deployed their own strategies.

Some of these strategies were quite successful. The US Attorney highlighted several instances that resulted in large losses for Jared Davis. This frustrated and angered Jared Davis immensely. As a result of experiencing losses, Jared demanded that the “white label” software provider rig the software so that the trades became even more difficult to profit.

Yet again, the successful trader was able to keep “beating the house” and subsequently demanded payment. Did the victim get paid? Not a chance. Jared Davis simply refused.

Hide and seek from the regulators

As regulators began to tighten the noose on Jared Davis with subpoenas and regulatory action, he then attempted to circumvent the regulators by creating various shell companies and websites to keep the scam rolling.

The first company was Option Mint, then Option King, and then Option Queen, and finally Option Prince. However, the one connecting piece was the boiler room located in Sandusky Ohio.

Additionally, Jared was unaware that the FBI had subpoenaed Jared’s email server and as the emails were darting throughout the criminal network, employees, customers, that everything was being read and watched by investigators.

It certainly looks like Jared will be going away for a while. Thanks for reading. Another investment scammer bites the dust.

Mary Haynes