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Trading 101: How Markets Actually Work

The plumbing behind every trade, explained plainly: who is on the other side, how prices and order books work, what each asset class really is, how brokers get paid, why prices move, and how to spend your first 90 days without blowing up.

Module 1: What a market is

A market is just a place where buyers and sellers meet; learn who those people are and where they meet.

  1. Who is on the other side of your trade?8 min
  2. Exchanges vs over-the-counter markets8 min
  3. The cast of characters: who trades and why9 min

Take the module quiz

Module 2: Prices, quotes and the order book

Module 3: Order types

Market, limit, stop and stop-limit orders, time in force, and why your fill is rarely the price you saw.

  1. Market orders: speed at any price7 min
  2. Limit orders: price control, no guarantee8 min
  3. Stop and stop-limit orders9 min
  4. Time in force, slippage and other fine print8 min

Take the module quiz

Module 4: Asset classes overview

Stocks, ETFs, options, futures, forex and crypto: what each actually is, when it trades, how much leverage is involved and who trades it.

  1. Stocks and ETFs9 min
  2. Options: contracts, not shares10 min
  3. Futures: standardized bets with a clearing house9 min
  4. Forex and crypto: the 24-hour markets10 min

Take the module quiz

Module 5: Brokers, accounts and costs

How brokers make money from you, cash versus margin, the US pattern day trader rule, and prop firms as an alternative.

  1. How brokers make money from you8 min
  2. Cash vs margin accounts8 min
  3. The pattern day trader rule (US)7 min
  4. Prop firms: trading someone else's money, for a fee8 min

Take the module quiz

Module 6: How prices move

Supply, demand, liquidity, news and market makers, and why a stock can drop on good news.

  1. Supply, demand and liquidity8 min
  2. News, catalysts and what is already priced in8 min
  3. Market makers, and why it dropped on good news9 min

Take the module quiz

Module 7: Timeframes and trading styles

Scalping, day trading, swing trading, position trading and investing: what each demands and what to realistically expect.

  1. The five styles: scalping to investing9 min
  2. Which style suits you (and which market)8 min
  3. Realistic expectations8 min

Take the module quiz

Module 8: Your first 90 days

Paper trade, journal, size tiny, avoid the classic beginner mistakes and know what to learn next.

  1. Paper trading: how to do it so it counts8 min
  2. Keeping a trading journal7 min
  3. Sizing tiny, and the classic beginner mistakes9 min
  4. What to learn next6 min

Take the module quiz

Educational content, not financial advice.