About Trading
Trading in the City of London began in coffee houses. It was based on goods like coffee, cocoa beans and spices that had been shipped in from around the world. The coffee houses evolved into bigger trading areas where independent traders could meet bankers and brokers who represented other traders. This led to the creation of formal spaces for trading. In these grand new buildings, specialists and jobbers purchased seats alongside brokerages and banks. Up to this point, traders had been restricted to dealing products and company shares in the present. Soon, standard contracts were traded on the future price of commodities. Which enabled dealers to ‘hedge’ against potential problems. The ‘Big Bang’ in the 1980’s saw electronic systems taking over from paper, allowing people from outside the City to participate in trades without using a broker. This saw the rise of ‘Day Trader’ in the 1990’s. These individuals traded their own money in electronic dealing rooms known as arcades. Technology has driven change. And now trading takes place almost exclusively on screen. Which means that with the right direct access trading systems, with costs a fraction of retail rates and with intuitive software, an individual can compete on equal terms with an institution. Our trading community is made up of hundreds of these individuals, who work together to make money trading derivatives around the world.![]()
Why Derivatives ![]()
Why GTC? ![]()

Our Trading Programe
It doesn't matter where you are based. Our three month training course is available online or in any of our offices around the world. Click here to find out how it works.Already an experienced trader?
We can provide all the software andsupport you need to enable you to
trade as part of our community. Comunicate in real time with over 200 live traders, analysts and technologists.
