Quote from EvOTraderV2:
My point being that other firms regulated under the FSA or IFSC don't deal with any of the useless BS regulations. I know Don has to be PC because he is representing his firm without anonymity, but I think most of the regulations are a complete fraud just written for some contracts to be handed out and to protect the interests of a handful of larger firms.
Don is dealing with GS. If it wasn't for the trillions in bailouts, GS would be long gone from the US financial services sector. That's why I say off-shore firms may be the only option for traders in the near future.
To protect yourself from losing your capital, seeking government regulated entities is not going to help. Groups like Bright that have navigated through the markets for decades are ultimately the best group to invest in; however, note that NOBODY is completely safe from a financial crisis. The largest clearing agencies like GS are mostly in business because of their ties with government and their lobbying pushing regulators to regulate to protect them an f**k over small firms giving competition. FINRA calls this "institutional solvency"
Whether they are seeking to completely shut down prop firms in the US is still up for debate, but at this point, it does look like those are the clear intentions of lobbyists and regulators
OK, thanks Evo for helping others, and showing sanity where there often is none. We, as a firm, have simply evolved with the idea that we need to keep traders making money, or they simply go away. We don't have the massive group of "newbies" if you will, back when everybody wanted to be a trader. Our new people are better educated about trading for the most part. Makes this much easier.
I think I noted that January was our best profit wise for the traders in some years. Things are really looking good for 2012. Maybe we trimmed down somewhat (no fat jokes guys, LOL).... and we do have fewer total people, but when we have good success numbers, especially right after our Retreat where our $million traders came here, on their nickel, to share with others, it makes me feel good for orchestrating that every year.
As far as reg's go, no big deal. We had a one page "contract" for 10 years, then the SEC asked that we become a LLC, ok. They asked for other stuff, we complied. Not easy, not cheap, but we keep our reputation and trader security. Dont' get me wrong, I sometimes privately ask "what they heck are they asking this or that for" during our every other year review, but we always pass.
Sorry if I seem to hijack the thread, not my intent, just saw my name, LOL. I know nothing, good or bad, about the above mentioned firm guys, so no more PM's LOL.
All the best,
Don