Conditions for Using Expert Advisors (EAs)

During the Funded Ocean Direct Runner Challenge Phase, the use of Expert Advisors (EAs), bots, and automated trading systems is permitted only if they fully comply with all Funded Ocean rules and do not engage in abusive, manipulative, or exploitative behavior.

Any algorithm designed to exploit technical weaknesses, generate artificial trading activity, or bypass genuine market risk is strictly prohibited.

Any violation of EA-related rules during the Direct Runner Challenge Phase will result in immediate challenge failure, regardless of account performance.

⚠️ HFT EA Usage Scope

• High-Frequency Trading (HFT) EAs are allowed exclusively during the Direct Runner Challenge Phase
• All trading activity during the Direct Runner Challenge must reflect genuine market participation and real risk exposure

🚫 Prohibited EA Behaviors & Strategies (Direct Runner Challenge Phase)

🧠 Autotrading With Abusive Strategies

What It Is
Algorithms designed to exploit latency gaps, manipulated ticks, delayed price feeds, or abnormal execution behavior.

Why It’s Prohibited
• Exploits system mechanics
• Bypasses genuine analysis and decision-making

Example
An EA using an external feed to trade before platform prices update.

📉 Martingale Strategies

What It Is
Increasing position size after losses in anticipation that one winning trade will recover all prior losses.

Why It’s Prohibited
• Creates uncontrolled exposure
• High probability of total account failure

Example
An EA doubling lot size after each losing trade.

📊 Grid Trading Strategies

What It Is
Placing buy and sell orders at fixed price intervals without directional analysis or structured risk control.

Why It’s Prohibited
• Exposes the account to extreme drawdowns
• Lacks sustainable risk management

Example
An EA placing trades every 10 pips with no stop loss.

🔄 Hyperactive Trading

What It Is
Opening, closing, or modifying an excessive number of trades in a short period without clear strategic logic.

Why It’s Prohibited
• Strains platform performance
• Mimics non-human trading behavior

Example
An EA executing hundreds or thousands of trades per day without analytical justification.

⏱️ Latency Trading

What It Is
Exploiting price delays between platforms or data feeds to gain an unfair advantage.

Why It’s Prohibited
• Relies on price desynchronization
• Undermines fair evaluation

Example
Entering trades based on prices observed elsewhere before they update.

🔀 Price Arbitrage

What It Is
Exploiting delayed price synchronization without assuming real market risk.

Why It’s Prohibited
• Generates artificial profits
• Distorts challenge evaluation

Example
Trading before prices update.

🎲 Random or Gambling-Style Trading

What It Is
Trading without a defined strategy, driven by chance, emotion, or revenge behavior.

Why It’s Prohibited
• Contradicts disciplined trading standards

Example
An EA opening oversized positions after losses with no stop loss or logic.

👥 Account Sharing or Coordinated EA Use

What It Is
Running the same EA logic across multiple accounts or allowing third-party control.

Why It’s Prohibited
• Violates fair evaluation principles
• Prevents accurate skill assessment

Example
Identical EA trades executed simultaneously across multiple accounts.

🔁 Hedging Between Accounts

What It Is
Opening opposing positions across different accounts to eliminate risk.

Why It’s Prohibited
• Removes real market exposure
• Manipulates challenge outcomes

Example
Buy trades on one account and sell trades on another.

🛠️ Exploiting Technical Errors

What It Is
Taking advantage of frozen prices, execution glitches, incorrect spreads, or delayed updates.

Why It’s Prohibited
• Creates unfair profits
• Undermines platform integrity

Example
Trading during a known price freeze.

⚠️ Final Warning

The Funded Ocean Direct Runner Challenge Phase is designed to evaluate real trading skill under real market conditions.

Any EA or automated strategy must operate within strict ethical, technical, and risk boundaries. Abuse, exploitation, or manipulation of systems will result in immediate disqualification from the Direct Runner Challenge.

If there is any uncertainty regarding EA compliance, traders must seek clarification before trading. Responsibility for compliance lies entirely with the trader.