I understood the OP as wanting to trade directly with the liquidity providers (banks, etc.) rather than having to go through the middleman (retail broker, dealer, bucket shop, whatever you want to call them). If you're only wanting to trade for yourself and not take client's money, then you don't have to abide by NFA brokerage minimums. The banks will be happy to take your trades directly as long as you trade $10 million at a shot. Less than that is below their radar screen, and you'll need to use the retailers to get your trades out there.