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FAQ, code examples, use cases, and more

Algorithmic Trading Basics

HFT-like Trading Algorithm in 300 Lines of Code You Can Run Now
Concurrent Scalping Algo Using Async Python
Martingale Day-Trading with the Alpaca Trading API
Long-Short Algorithmic Trading in JavaScript (Node.js) Using Stock API
A Simple Mean Reversion Stock Trading Script in C#

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Use Cases

How to Build a DIY Socially Responsible Investing Robo - A Farewell to Swell
Building a Twitter Bot to Tweet My Trades
For Excel Persons - How to Pull Market Data with VBA
Replicating ETF in Python with Trading API
I am a College Student and I Built My Own Robo Advisor (Part 1)

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Code Examples

HFT-like Trading Algorithm in 300 Lines of Code You Can Run Now
Concurrent Scalping Algo Using Async Python
Martingale Day-Trading with the Alpaca Trading API
Long-Short Algorithmic Trading in JavaScript (Node.js) Using Stock API
How to Build a DIY Socially Responsible Investing Robo - A Farewell to Swell

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General Question

Minimal Deposit
Paper Trading
Scheduled Downtime
Alpaca Glossary
Plaid

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Bank Transfers & Linking

Funding My Account
Minimal Deposit
Linking Your Bank Account - Electronic Authentication
Deposits/Transfers to Your Alpaca Account
Withdrawals/Transfers to Your Bank Account

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Market Data

For Excel Persons - How to Pull Market Data with VBA
Exploring the Differences Between U.S. Stock Market Data Feeds
Algo Trading for Dummies - Collecting & Storing The Market Data (Part 1)
An Introduction to Market Data APIs and their Usage
Easily Get Tick-Level Market Data in Python with Alpaca API

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Getting Started (Alpaca Securities LLC)

Funding My Account
SEC Rule 14b-1
Checking Your Application Status
Account Eligibility
Is an Alpaca Securities LLC account right for me?

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Trading

Paper Trading
Issues Placing an Order
Pattern Day Trader (PDT)
Trading Hours
Risks of Automated Trading Systems

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Documents & Taxes

Wash Sale
Tax Reporting FAQs
TurboTax® (Apex Accounts Only)
2019 Tax Information (Alpaca ETC Accounts)
2019 Tax Information (Alpaca Apex Accounts)

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Managing My Account

Forgot Password
SEC Rule 14b-1
Change Password
Checking Your Application Status

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Hedge Fund Basics

HFT-like Trading Algorithm in 300 Lines of Code You Can Run Now
Ultimate List of Automated Trading Strategies You Should Know - Part 1
Algorithmic Trading through a Business Account at Alpaca

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AI/Machine Learning in Trading

Forecasting Market Movements Using Tensorflow - Intro into Machine Learning for Finance (Part 2)
Comparing 3 Different Types of Neural Network Architectures in Finance - Intro into Machine Learning for Finance (Part 3)
Intro into Machine Learning for Finance and Trading (Part 1)

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Pricing & Fees

Money Transfer Fees
Trading Fees
Regulatory Fees

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Trouble Shooting

Forgot Password
Issues Placing an Order
Change Password

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Developers

API Docs Slack Forum Resources GitHub API Status

About Us

Company Newsletter Blog Contact Careers

Documents

Terms & Conditions Important Disclosures Business Continuity Plan Privacy Notice Customer Agreement

© 2020 Alpaca Securities LLC All rights reserved.
© 2020 AlpacaDB, Inc. All rights reserved.

Brokerage services are provided by Alpaca Securities LLC ("Alpaca"), member FINRA/SIPC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AlpacaDB, Inc. Technology and services are offered by AlpacaDB, Inc.

This is not an offer, solicitation of an offer, or advice to buy or sell securities, or open a brokerage account in any jurisdiction where Alpaca is not registered (Alpaca is registered only in the United States).

! View Important Disclosures

Disclosures

Brokerage services are provided by Alpaca Securities LLC ("Alpaca"), member FINRA/SIPC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AlpacaDB, Inc.

Technology and services are offered by AlpacaDB, Inc.

Brokerage services are provided to customers who can write automated investment code and self direct their own investments. Alpaca brokerage services are only provided to customers who agree to electronically sign agreements and agree to receive messages, confirmations, and statements electronically. Is Alpaca right for me?

This is not an offer, solicitation of an offer, or advice to buy or sell securities, or open a brokerage account in any jurisdiction where Alpaca is not registered (Alpaca is registered only in the United States).

The Paper Trading API is offered by AlpacaDB, Inc. and does not require real money or permit a user to transact in real securities in the market. Providing use of the Paper Trading API is not an offer or solicitation to buy or sell securities, securities derivative or futures products of any kind, or any type of trading or investment advice, recommendation or strategy, given or in any manner endorsed by AlpacaDB, Inc. or any AlpacaDB, Inc. affiliate and the information made available through the Paper Trading API is not an offer or solicitation of any kind in any jurisdiction where AlpacaDB, Inc. or any AlpacaDB, Inc. affiliate is not authorized to do business.

You should know that the use or granting of any third party access to your account information or place transactions in your account at your direction is solely at your risk. Alpaca does not warrant against loss of use or any direct, indirect or consequential damages or losses to you caused by your assent, expressed or implied, to a third party accessing your account or information, including access provided through any other third party apps, systems, or sites.

Market prices, data and other information available through Alpaca are not warranted as to completeness or accuracy and are subject to change without notice. System response and account access times may vary due to a variety of factors, including trading volumes, market conditions, system performance, and other factors. A more complete description of the impact these factors may have can be found in our risks of automated trading systems section.

All investments involve risk and the past performance of a security, or financial product does not guarantee future results or returns. Keep in mind that while diversification may help spread risk it does not assure a profit, or protect against loss, in a down market. There is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities, or other financial products. Investors should consider their investment objectives and risks carefully before investing.

There are risks unique to automated trading algorithms that you should know about and plan for. You should setup a method or system of continuous monitoring or alerting to let you know if there is a mechanical failure, such as connectivity issues, power loss, a computer crash, or system quirk. You should also monitor for instances where your automated trading system experiences anomalies that could result in errant, missing, or duplicated orders. A more complete description of these and other risks can be found in our FAQ section.

Conditional orders may have increased risk as a result of their reliance on trigger processing, market data, and other internal and external systems. Such orders are not sent to the market until specified conditions are met. During that time, issues such as system outages with downstream technologies or third parties may occur. Conditional orders triggering near the market close may fail to execute that day. Furthermore, our executing partner may impose controls on conditional orders to limit erroneous trades triggering downstream orders. Alpaca Securities may not always be made aware of such changes to external controls immediately, which may lead to some conditional orders not being executed. As such, it is important to monitor conditional orders for reasonability. Conditional orders are “Not Held” orders whose execution instructions are on a best efforts basis upon being triggered. Furthermore, conditional orders may be subject to the increased risks of stop orders and market orders outlined above. Given the increased potential risk of using conditional orders, the client agrees that Alpaca Securities cannot be held responsible for losses, damages, or missed opportunity costs associated with market data problems, systems issues, and user error, among other factors. By using conditional orders the client understands and accepts the risks outlined above. Alpaca Securities encourages leveraging the use of Paper accounts to become more comfortable with the intricacies associated with these orders.

ETFs can entail risks similar to direct stock ownership, including market, sector, or industry risks. Some ETFs may involve international risk, currency risk, commodity risk, and interest rate risk. Trading prices may not reflect the net asset value of the underlying securities.

All accounts are opened as margin accounts. You should know that margin trading involves interest charges and risks, including the potential to lose more than deposited or the need to deposit additional collateral in a falling market. Before using margin, customers must determine whether this type of trading strategy is right for them given their specific investment objectives, experience, risk tolerance, and financial situation. For more information please see Alpaca’s Margin Disclosure Statement and Margin Agreement. These disclosures contain information on Alpaca’s lending policies, interest charges, and the risks associated with margin accounts.

Commission-Free trading means that there are no commission charges for Alpaca self-directed individual cash brokerage accounts that trade U.S. listed securities through an API. Relevant SEC and FINRA fees may apply.

© 2020 Alpaca Securities LLC. All rights reserved.

© 2020 AlpacaDB. All rights reserved.