Bonuses and credit: the fine print scalpers trip over

[Shadow Trader]

A deposit bonus sounds generous. The condition is typically a volume requirement: trade a number of lots before the bonus, or the profits made with it, can be withdrawn.

For scalpers, the requirement looks easy. High volume is the natural result of trading often. But the details can be hostile. Many bonus terms forbid scalping, high-frequency trading, or hedging while a bonus is active. Violating those terms can cancel the bonus and any profits linked to it.

The language is often vague. "Abusive trading" and "non-genuine trading activity" cover anything the broker doesn't like. It gives the broker plenty of room, long after the trades are placed.

Another trap is the way the bonus interacts with the margin. Credit counts toward available margin, but it may not count for withdrawal. A balance that looks large can shrink dramatically when the credit is removed.

For most scalping accounts, declining the bonus and keeping the account clean is the safer arrangement. No strings means no surprises.

Did a bonus ever cause trouble at withdrawal time? What were the terms that bit?