What is an ECN forex broker?
ECN stands for electronic communication network. The term describes a model connecting market participants' orders and liquidity. A raw spread plus commission is a pricing model; it does not, on its own, prove how every order is routed. Mercato lists ECN execution for its Raw account. Read the execution terms and contract specifications for the instrument you intend to trade.
Mercato account costs for scalpers
The Standard account starts at $25 with spreads from 1.2 pips and no commission. Raw starts at $15,000 with spreads from 0.0 pips and an advertised $5 per lot commission. Professional starts at $100,000 with institutional pricing and $3 per lot commission. All accounts are swap-free and advertise leverage up to 1:500. The minimum deposit is an entry requirement, not a recommendation to commit that amount to a strategy.
| Account | Minimum deposit | Spread | Commission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $25 | From 1.2 pips | None |
| Raw | $15,000 | From 0.0 pips | $5 per lot |
| Professional | $100,000 | Institutional pricing | $3 per lot |
Advertised spreads are starting values, not fixed trading costs. Confirm the instrument's current spread, commission charging basis and contract specifications before trading.
ECN trading cost calculator
EUR/USD · USD account · 100,000 units per standard lot. Estimates, not live quotes.
Commission charging basis is unconfirmed. Both scenarios are shown until you choose. Spreads and slippage vary; Professional spread is entered by you.
| Account | Minimum deposit | Estimated total cost |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $25 | $12.00 |
| Raw | $15,000 | $5.00 / $10.00 |
| Professional | $100,000 | — |
Round trip / per side
MT5 details
All accounts: MT5 desktop Windows / Mac, mobile iOS / Android and WebTrader. EAs run on desktop or compatible VPS, not mobile/WebTrader. Swap-free; maximum leverage 1:500. Funding and other applicable charges are excluded.
Calculate spread plus commission—not spread alone
For a standard 100,000-unit EUR/USD lot in a USD-denominated account, one pip is approximately $10. An illustrative 0.2-pip spread therefore costs about $2 before commission. Add the applicable commission for the trade cycle and any adverse slippage. Mercato advertises commission per lot; confirm whether it is charged per side or round trip before using it in a backtest.
- Use the actual spread during the sessions you trade, not the advertised minimum.
- Calculate commission in the same units as your target profit.
- Include currency conversion and instrument-specific tick values where relevant.
Why execution and slippage matter for scalping
Slippage is the difference between a requested price and the executed price; it can be positive or negative. Around news, rollover or thin liquidity, spreads can widen and fills may differ from the price you saw. ECN pricing is not a guarantee of instant execution or no slippage. Stop-loss orders also do not guarantee a particular exit price.
Use MT5 to measure your strategy
Mercato offers MetaTrader 5 on Windows and Mac, mobile apps for iOS and Android, and WebTrader. Desktop MT5 supports one-click trading and Expert Advisors. Inspect the symbol's tick size, tick value, trading sessions, minimum volume and stop-distance rules. Record spread, order time and fill price in a demo journal, then compare with small live trades if appropriate. Demo execution may not match live execution.
A practical scalping checklist before you register
Set a maximum loss per trade and per day, define which sessions and news events you will avoid, and estimate whether your target move still exceeds costs. Ask support to confirm the current rules for your specific strategy, including holding times and automated order activity, rather than assuming every technique is permitted.
- Compare Raw and Standard using your expected trading volume.
- Test with realistic spreads, commission and execution delays.
- Use position sizing rather than maximum available leverage to control exposure.
- Read account terms and risk disclosures before funding.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercato account offers ECN pricing?
The account comparison lists Raw with ECN execution, a $15,000 minimum deposit, spreads from 0.0 pips and $5 per lot commission. Professional lists institutional pricing and $3 per lot from $100,000.
Does a 0.0-pip spread mean free scalping?
No. It is a starting spread, not a fixed quote. Commission and slippage still affect the result, and the spread can widen.
Is leverage of 1:500 necessary for scalping?
No. It is the advertised maximum, not a recommended setting. Leverage increases loss exposure and does not improve a strategy's expectancy.
How do I confirm scalping rules?
Check the current client agreement and ask Mercato support about your holding periods, instrument and order frequency before running the strategy live.
Official MT5 documentation
Risk warning: Forex and CFDs carry a high risk of loss. Leverage magnifies losses as well as gains. Never trade money you cannot afford to lose.