Scalping, microscalping, and high-frequency trading

Separate permitted short-term trading from simulated-fill exploitation and prohibited high-frequency activity.

1 min readUpdated
  • All plans
On this page

Genuine scalping is allowed

Short-term trading is allowed when it reflects realistic execution. Strategies intended to exploit simulated fills, delayed prices, or system behavior are not permitted.

The microscalping review threshold

An account can be flagged when more than 50% of its profits come from trades held for five seconds or less. A flag prompts review of the trading pattern; it is not the same as an automatic drawdown breach.

If prohibited behavior is confirmed, a warning may be issued. Continuing that behavior can lead to removal of related profits and restriction from Boxcar.

High-frequency trading is prohibited

High-volume automated trading designed to exploit extremely short-lived price or execution differences is prohibited. Allowing automated strategies does not make high-frequency exploitation acceptable.

A warning can be followed by profit removal, account closure, and loss of access for repeated behavior.

If you believe a review is incorrect

Contact support with the affected account, trade dates, order or trade identifiers, holding times, and a short explanation of the strategy. Include relevant logs or screenshots, but never your password.

Need help with your account?

Send the account identifier and a short description—never a password or card number.

Email support