Code and Compete for $20,000 in Prizes with the FXCM Automated Trading Challenge

Sept. 23, 2010 - PRLog -- 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.

Additional information including contest rules and FAQs can be found on the contest website: http://www.fxcm.co.uk/automated-fore...ng-contest.jsp

*Please be advised that CFD accounts are not available to residents of the U.S. or its territories. Additionally, Forex Capital Markets Ltd. offers spread betting exclusively to UK residents. Residents of other countries are NOT eligible.
†Please be advised that this is a beta version. When you undertake transactions on an electronic trading system, you will be exposed to risks associated with the system including but not limited to failure of hardware or software, as such please be sure to review the execution risks.
Trading foreign exchange and CFDs on margin carries a high level of risk, and may not be suitable for all. Read full disclaimer

# # #

About FXCM Holdings LLC
FXCM Holdings LLC (FXCM) is a leading global forex and CFD broker* that caters to both retail and institutional markets. Founded in 1999, FXCM is one of the largest brokers, regulated by several of the world’s most respected financial authorities.
At the heart of FXCM’s client offering is No Dealing Desk forex trading. Clients have market access to some of the world's largest forex liquidity providers that enables FXCM to offer clients spreads as low as 1 pip on major crosses. Clients also have the benefits of mobile trading, one-click order execution, and trading from real-time charts. Forex Capital Markets Ltd.’s CFD product* offers no re-quote trading and allows traders to trade oil, gold, silver, and stock indices, along with forex on one platform. In addition to currency and CFD trading, FXCM offers educational courses on forex trading, and provides free news and research through DailyFX.com.