Minimum holding time rules at brokers: read before scalping

[Amanhasnoname]

Some brokers ban or penalise trades that are held for less than a certain number of seconds. The rule is often buried deep in the terms and conditions.

Typical wording says trades shorter than 60 seconds may be cancelled, have their profit removed, or lead to account termination. Others only restrict specific strategies, such as scalping around news.

For a scalper, that can be devastating. A history full of trades under the limit may be reversed after the fact, with profits taken back.

Enforcement varies. Some brokers never apply it. Others apply it only when profits are high. Waiting to find out is a bad plan.

The safest approach is to confirm in writing, through live chat or email, what the minimum holding time is, and to save the response. Reviewing the average and minimum trade duration in the history gives an idea of exposure.

Accounts specifically designed for scalping tend to have no such limits, though they may charge higher commissions.

Have you confirmed your broker's rules on short trades in writing?