Choosing the Right Assets

Choosing the right assets is critically important for success. Trading unsuitable assets can lead to losses even with a solid strategy. When selecting an asset, what matters most is not just a “tight spread” or “moderate volatility,” but rather a combination of liquidity and price movement predictability. Key factors:

Liquidity and Order Book Depth

• The higher the liquidity, the easier it is to enter and exit without slippage.

• A deep order book is more important than a formally “tight spread.”

• On low-liquidity assets, scalping becomes risky due to sudden price gaps.

Actual Spread + Available Volume

For scalpers, it's not enough to see a narrow spread — it's important to understand:

• what volume is available within the first levels of the order book,

• whether the spread widens sharply on any movement,

• whether the position can be closed quickly without extra costs.

Price Movement Behavior (“Market Rhythm”)

Instead of simply evaluating “volatility”:

• Look for assets with stable, systematically repeating price behavior.

• A clear microstructure is better than chaotic price jumps.

• Rare sharp spikes are only suitable for specific strategies.

Momentum and News-Driven Assets

Sometimes assets make sharp moves due to news or liquidity spikes. They can offer great entry points but come with increased risks. Prefer assets with predictable reactions to news and sufficient liquidity during impulses. Always assess the spread and order book depth before entering.

Trading Sessions and Active Periods

Scalping is most effective during high liquidity. The optimal hours are during the overlap of the European and US sessions (roughly 14:00–18:00 MSK). In crypto markets, additional activity occurs during the Asian session — approximately 03:00 to 09:00 MSK — when markets in Japan, China, Korea, and other Asian countries are open. Avoid trading during low-liquidity periods or “thin markets.”

Checklist for Technical Scalping Preparation Before Starting

• 1. Ensure stable terminal performance on a modern computer and use multiple monitors for convenience

• 2. Connect to reliable, low-latency internet and have a backup connection available

• 3. Use an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to protect against outages

• 4. Choose a platform with fast execution, hotkey support, and customizable layout

• 5. Set up your workspace to fit your trading style

• 6. Select a broker with transparent execution (ECN/STP) and reasonable trading costs

• 7. Choose liquid assets with a predictable market microstructure

• 8. Test the full “platform–broker–interface” setup in demo mode.

Common Technical Mistakes

1. Scalping on unstable hardware that causes terminal delays

2. Using web-based terminals instead of platforms with fast execution and interface customization

3. No backup internet or power protection

4. Trading via brokers with opaque execution and high costs

5. Underestimating total commissions and trading expenses across numerous trades

6. Launching trading without pre-testing the entire technical setup

7. Attempting to scalp low-liquidity assets with unpredictable price behavior.

High-quality technical setup is an investment in successful trading, not just an expense. In scalping, technical edge often determines the outcome of a trade. Remember: even the best strategy will fail if technical limitations prevent its proper execution.