You found a great forex bonus, deposited your money, started scalping — and discovered your trades do not count toward the volume requirement. Or worse, your bonus was revoked. This happens more often than you think. Many bonus promotions explicitly prohibit scalping or define minimum trade durations that disqualify typical scalp trades.
We contacted every major bonus broker, read their terms, and tested their enforcement to create a verified list of bonuses that genuinely allow scalping.
The Scalping Problem with Bonuses
Most bonus terms include a clause like: "Trades held for less than X minutes may not count toward volume requirements" or "Scalping strategies are not permitted on bonus accounts." The minimum hold times range from 2 to 15 minutes depending on the broker.
For scalpers who typically hold positions for seconds to 2-3 minutes, this effectively blocks them from meeting bonus requirements through their normal trading style. They must either change their strategy (defeating the purpose) or abandon the bonus.
Why Brokers Restrict Scalping
Brokers restrict scalping on bonus accounts for several reasons:
- Volume gaming: Without minimum hold times, a trader could open and close positions instantly to inflate volume without meaningful market exposure
- Cost to broker: Each trade has a fixed processing cost. High-frequency micro-scalps generate minimal spread revenue but maximum processing overhead
- Hedging prevention: Some scalping patterns (opening opposing positions quickly) function similarly to hedging, which is universally prohibited for bonus volume
Verified Scalping-Friendly Bonuses
| Broker | Bonus | Min Hold Time | Scalping Policy | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XM | $30 no deposit | ~2 min | Allowed (with minimum duration) | Yes |
| XM | 50% deposit | None for credit | Allowed | Yes |
| HFM | 100% Supercharged | ~2 min for cashback | Allowed | Yes |
| Tickmill | $30 welcome | 5 min | Moderate restrictions | Yes |
| RoboForex | $30 welcome | 2 min | Allowed | Yes |
| JustMarkets | Cashback | None stated | Allowed | Yes |
Best choice for scalpers: XM allows scalping on both the $30 no deposit and 50% deposit bonuses. The minimum hold time of approximately 2 minutes is the shortest among verified bonuses. Most scalpers hold trades for 1-5 minutes, so the 2-minute minimum is compatible with standard scalping strategies.
Bonuses That Prohibit or Heavily Restrict Scalping
| Broker | Min Hold Time | Scalping Policy |
|---|---|---|
| FBS | 5 min | Heavily restricted |
| InstaForex | 5+ min | Prohibited on bonus accounts |
| IronFX | Not specified | May void bonus at discretion |
| SuperForex | 5 min | Restricted |
| Headway | 5 min | Restricted on bonus account |
Scalping Strategy for Bonus Accounts
If you scalp with a bonus, follow these rules:
- Hold every trade for at least 3 minutes — even if your target is hit in 30 seconds, wait or move your take-profit further
- Avoid rapid-fire entries: Opening 10 positions in 1 minute looks like volume gaming, even if each trade is held individually
- Do not hedge: Never open buy and sell on the same pair simultaneously
- Trade during high-volatility sessions: London and New York sessions provide the movement scalpers need
- Stick to EUR/USD and GBP/USD: Tightest spreads, most liquidity, best for scalping
The Better Option for Scalpers
Honestly? If you are a serious scalper, bonuses are not your friend. The restrictions (minimum hold times, volume counting rules) interfere with optimal scalping execution. The best environment for scalping is:
- Raw spread account with zero bonus: Exness Raw Spread offers 0.0 pip spreads with $3.50/lot commission — the lowest all-in cost for scalping
- No minimum hold time restrictions
- Instant execution, no requotes
- Instant withdrawals — no bonus complications
If you want a bonus AND scalp, XM's $30 is the best compromise. But for professional scalping, skip bonuses entirely and go with Exness.
Exness Raw Spread: 0.0 pips, no restrictions, instant withdrawals. The scalper's broker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which forex bonuses allow scalping?
XM (both no deposit and deposit bonus), HFM (Supercharged), RoboForex, and JustMarkets (cashback) all allow scalping with minimum hold times of 2-5 minutes. Always check the specific terms before scalping with any bonus.
What is the minimum trade duration for bonus accounts?
Most bonus accounts require trades to be held for at least 2-5 minutes. XM and RoboForex require ~2 minutes. Tickmill, FBS, and others require 5+ minutes. Trades closed before the minimum duration do not count toward volume requirements.
Should scalpers use forex bonuses?
Casual scalpers can use XM or HFM bonuses with slight adjustments to hold times. Professional scalpers should skip bonuses entirely and use Exness Raw Spread accounts for 0.0 pip spreads without any trading restrictions.
What happens if I scalp on a restricted bonus account?
Trades held for less than the minimum duration simply do not count toward volume requirements. In extreme cases (high-frequency bot scalping), some brokers may revoke the bonus entirely. Always check terms before trading.
Trading forex and CFDs involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should not invest money that you cannot afford to lose. BonusForex100 contains affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.