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Showing posts from August, 2025

Market Microstructure Explained for Algo Traders

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  Market Microstructure Explained for Algo Traders Introduction When we talk about algo trading, most people focus on strategies, indicators, and backtesting. But there's a hidden layer of how the market actually works — how orders get matched, how prices are formed, and how liquidity impacts execution. That’s where Market Microstructure comes in. Understanding market microstructure is crucial for building realistic, effective, and profitable trading algorithms. In this post, let’s break it down simply — no heavy math, just real-world concepts every algo trader should know. 🔍 What Is Market Microstructure? Market microstructure refers to the study of the processes and rules behind how trades are executed, how prices are determined, and how different participants interact in a market. In simple terms: “It’s everything that happens behind the scenes when you place a trade.”   ⚙️ Core Concepts Every Algo Trader Should Know   📘 1. Order Book & Bid-Ask Spread Markets...

Is Algo Trading Legal in the Indian Market? (SEBI Rules Explained)

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   Is Algo Trading Legal in the Indian Market? (SEBI Rules Explained) Yes , algo trading is legal in India. However, it is regulated by SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) . There are specific rules and frameworks you must follow, especially depending on whether you're a retail trader or an institutional trader .   👨‍💻 For Retail Traders: Retail traders can do algo trading using broker APIs like Zerodha Kite Connect , Angel One SmartAPI , etc. As of now, semi-automated or manual-triggered algo strategies (where a human approves or initiates the trade) do not require prior SEBI or exchange approval . But you still need to: Follow your broker’s terms of use Ensure your algo doesn’t misuse the system Avoid market manipulation   🏢 For Institutional Traders / Full Automation: If you’re running a fully automated strategy (zero human intervention), especially at high volume or frequency: You need Exchange appr...

Unbiased Algo Trading Strategies – Momentum, Mean Reversion & Arbitrage Explained

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  Unbiased Algo Trading Strategies – Momentum, Mean Reversion & Arbitrage Explained   In algorithmic trading, strategies are designed to be rule-based , meaning they don’t rely on emotions or human judgment. This helps eliminate bias from trading decisions. Let’s explore three of the most popular unbiased algo strategies in simple terms:   1️ ⃣ Momentum Strategy – “Go with the trend” Core Idea : Stocks that have been going up tend to keep going up — for a while. How it works : The algorithm looks for stocks showing strong upward or downward movement with increasing volume. If momentum is positive, it goes long (buy); if negative, it goes short (sell). Example : If a stock has risen steadily for the past 5 days with strong volume, the algo might place a buy trade expecting the trend to continue. ✅ Pros : Trend-following, can capture quick gains ⚠️ Cons : Can fail during sideways or choppy markets   2️ ⃣ Mean Reversi...

can you make money algo trading

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  can you make money algo trading ✅ Why People Make Money in Algo Trading 1.      Speed & Automation: Algorithms can execute trades faster and more accurately than humans. 2.      Backtesting: You can test strategies on historical data before risking real money. 3.      24/7 Operation: Bots don’t sleep. Especially helpful in crypto markets. 4.      Discipline: No emotional trading – everything follows a strict logic.   ❌ Why Most People Fail 1.      Overfitting: Strategies that look great on backtests often fail in real markets. 2.      Changing Market Conditions: Markets evolve; an edge today might be a liability tomorrow. 3.      Costs Eat Profits: Commissions, slippage, and spreads can destroy thin margins. 4.      Competition: You're up against hedge funds with millions invested in ...

The Growth of Algo Trading in India

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  The Growth of Algo Trading in India Introduction In recent years, the Indian stock market has seen a silent revolution — the rise of Algorithmic Trading , popularly known as Algo Trading . What started as a tool for large institutions is now becoming accessible to retail traders as well. With the help of technology, trading has moved from chaotic trading floors to the quiet hum of high-speed servers executing trades in milliseconds . What is Algo Trading? Algorithmic trading is the use of computer programs or algorithms to execute trading orders automatically based on pre-defined conditions like price, time, or volume. These algorithms analyze market data, identify opportunities, and place orders faster than any human could. The Rise of Algo Trading in India 1.      Regulatory Approval by SEBI: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) allowed algorithmic trading for institutional investors in 2008. Over the years, as regulations became ...

High Frequency Trading (HFT)

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  High Frequency Trading (HFT) A type of algorithmic trading that uses powerful computers and complex algorithms to execute a large number of orders at extremely high speeds. Detailed Definition: High Frequency Trading (HFT) is a form of automated trading that involves executing a large number of trades in fractions of a second using sophisticated algorithms and low-latency technology . It is commonly used by investment banks, hedge funds, and institutional investors to take advantage of small price differences in financial markets. 📌 Key Characteristics of HFT:          ⚡ Ultra-fast execution (microseconds or milliseconds) 📈 High trade volumes 🤖 Algorithm-driven decision making 🌐 Co-location (placing servers physically close to exchange servers to reduce latency) 💰 Very small profit per trade, but scaled across millions of trades 📊 Example: Let’s say there is a tiny price difference betwee...