Blog

Trade decisions based on numbers, not intuition

This blog focuses on how to build trading strategies, how to verify them properly, and how to think about expectancy and risk management in FX and futures trading. Every article is written with practical backtesting on Delver in mind.

analysis12 min read

[Bankruptcy Guaranteed] Are Bollinger Bands Useless?: Results of a 10,000-Combination, 25-Year Brute Force Backtest

Is there a holy grail setting for Bollinger Band mean reversion? We're publishing the results of a 10,000-parameter brute force test over 25 years. Even the 'Elite Settings' with high expectancy plummeted to -50,000 pips in a 25-year endurance test. Discover the brutal truth of Bollinger Bands proven by statistics.

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strategy10 min read

The Essence of FX Verification and Backtesting: The Single Holy Grail Doesn't Exist, but a Theoretical 'Winning Structure' Can Be Built

Analyzing and explaining the winning structure in trading from a mathematical and statistical perspective. While a single Holy Grail may not exist, entries with mathematically high expectancy certainly do.

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analysis14 min read

The 5 Deadly Sins of Backtesting | Why Your 'Verification' Lacks Reproducibility

The 'Illusion of Reproducibility' is a trap most FX traders fall into. We break down the 5 cognitive biases—Hindsight, Survivorship, Confirmation, and more—that destroy your backtesting results.

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guide10 min read

How to Backtest FX (2026) | Exposed: The Truth Behind Win Rates with Zero-Setup Verification

A shortcut guide to the correct FX backtesting procedures. Compare the efficiency of manual, MT4, and SaaS (Delver), and discover the 4 steps to producing reproducible results without wasting time on preparation.

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analysis10 min read

Your Strategy is Probabilistically Dead. The 'Curse of Drawdown' That Bankrupts Even 60% Win Rates

Bankruptcy occurs in FX even when win rates and expectancy are positive. If you design money management without treating Max Drawdown as a probability distribution, your trading is destined to collapse. We explain this structure through numbers and simulations.

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analysis9 min read

The Reality of 'Equity Curve Variance': Why Capital Shrinks Even with Positive Expectancy

A positive expectancy does not guarantee a steady upward equity curve. We explain how the variance and sequence of trade results dictate capital trends and your ability to stay in the game, using simulations and diagrams.

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analysis9 min read

The Limits of Reproducibility in TradingView Replay | The Trap of Feeling Like You've Verified

Is TradingView's replay feature truly useful for backtesting? We explore why reproducibility fails due to the brain's bias from knowing the future, non-executions caused by spread gaps, and structural flaws where decision logs aren't kept.

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analysis10 min read

The Trap of Win Rates and PF | Spotting 'Curve Fitting' Hidden Behind the Numbers

Discover why strategies with high win rates and Profit Factors (PF) are often the most dangerous. We break down equity curves, outliers, and drawdown distributions to help you look past the vanity metrics.

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analysis10 min read

Detailed Comparison of Free FX Backtesting Tools (2026) | Start Here

Choosing the right tool determines the outcome of reproducible discretionary FX verification. We compare free backtesting environments like TradingView and MT4/MT5 from the perspective of identical conditions and reproducibility.

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analysis8 min read

The Real Reason Why RSI Doesn't Work in FX | Why Results Change Every Time

Why do you lose in FX despite using RSI? It’s not a problem with settings or values. We break down the structural reasons why RSI results fluctuate in discretionary trading.

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analysis8 min read

Why You’re Losing with a 60% Win Rate | The Pitfalls of Ignoring R-Multiple and Drawdown

Even with a seemingly impressive 60% win rate, your capital will vanish if you ignore R-multiple and Max Drawdown. Let’s break down why discretionary FX fails from a backtesting perspective.

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analysis10 min read

Automated vs. Discretionary Trading: Which Wins? A Backtest Comparison

Is automated or discretionary trading more profitable? We compare win rates, reproducibility, and risk structures under identical backtesting conditions.

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analysis10 min read

3 Reasons Why You Can't Win Despite Backtesting | Fatal Flaws in Manual Verification

Why doesn't manual backtesting on MT5 or TradingView lead to real-world profits? We break down three fatal design flaws in entry, exit, and recording with concrete examples.

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analysis6 min read

5 Reasons Why Discretionary FX Lacks Reproducibility | The Reality Revealed by Backtesting

Why do results fluctuate when backtesting discretionary trading under identical conditions? We analyze 5 factors—judgment shifts, subconscious filters, and environmental bias—from a data perspective.

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other10 min read

5 Best Free Backtesting Tools | Must-Try Verification Environments Before You Pay

We've handpicked 5 free FX backtesting tools. Compare their uses, limits, and ideal user profiles before committing to a paid subscription.

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analysis8 min read

The Fate of the 'Verification Weak' Deceived by Win Rates | Signs of Ruin Hidden in Backtest Numbers

Looking at win rates alone is meaningless in backtest results. Using Delver's analysis screens, we organize how to decipher the essence of a strategy through PF, DD, return distribution, time of day, and losing streaks.

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Verify what you read directly on Delver

The strategies and ideas explained in this blog can be backtested directly on Delver. Reading while verifying with real numbers significantly deepens your understanding.