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Trading Platform
What is a Trading Platform?
A trading platform is a software application that allows investors and traders to buy and sell stocks, bonds, commodities, currencies and other financial instruments. A trading platform provides access to various markets, such as exchanges, over-the-counter (OTC) markets, electronic communication networks (ECNs) and alternative trading systems (ATSs).
A trading platform also offers various tools and features to help users analyze the market conditions, execute orders, manage their portfolios and monitor their performance.
A trading platform can be either desktop-based, web-based or mobile-based. Desktop-based platforms are installed on the user's computer and require an internet connection to operate. Web-based platforms are accessed through a web browser and do not require any installation or download. Mobile-based platforms are designed for smartphones and tablets and allow users to trade on the go.
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A trading platform may charge fees for its services, such as commissions, spreads, subscription fees, data fees, margin fees and transaction fees. Some platforms may offer free or discounted services for certain types of accounts, such as demo accounts, educational accounts or premium accounts. A trading platform may also provide customer support, educational resources, research reports, news feeds and social networking features.
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A trading platform is different from a trading system, which is a set of rules and algorithms that generate buy and sell signals based on technical analysis, fundamental analysis or other criteria. A trading system can be implemented on a trading platform, but a trading platform does not necessarily include a trading system.
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