Envelope Counter-Trend EA Sequel: How to Choose Currency Pairs (Spread × Rangeiness × Sudden Change Risk)
It is a black cat.
Last time I summarized three patterns of fixed / ceiling / mild increase for people who are afraid of the lot.
We will check and explain a beginner-friendly “currency pair selection” checklist.
In short, currency pair selection works more on how volatile it is (frequency of lev progression) than on win rate. Even with the same settings, the experience changes significantly due to the characteristics of the currency.
1) Why performance changes with currency pairs
In this EA (ver1.2 configuration example),
Allowable spread: 2.0 pips
Allowable slippage: 1.0 pips
Stop loss: 5–10 pips (varies with lev)
Trailing start: 3–9 pips
Trailing width: 0.5 pips (fixed)
These are the premises.
In other words, because the stop loss is shorter (5–10 pips),
currencies with wider spreads tend to
be disadvantageous at entry
even when profits are on, they are easily shaved off
which leads to “difficult to enter / unstable entry”
…this is the structure.
[Figure 1] Why the “spread” matters in this EA (ver1.2 setting excerpt)
2) Currency pair selection is fine with just three axes
If you’re unsure, just look at the following order and you’ll be fine.
① Spread (top priority)
Whether it stays within 2.0 pips during usual operating hours
Avoid currencies where spreads expand rapidly during events or thin markets
② Range tendency (suitable for mean reversion)
The more it tends to move back and forth (retrace), the better the fit
The stronger the tendency to run in one direction, the faster lev progresses
③ Sudden change risk (how easily it hits you)
A rapid change plus spread widening plus slippage makes mean reversion more volatile
[Figure 2] Currency pair selection “Three axes” checklist
3) For beginners: steps to narrow down to 2–3 candidates
Rather than aiming for perfection, this is the easiest realistic approach.
Step 1: Narrow to 2–3 candidates
Don’t immediately go to minor currencies; start with currencies with abundant data and easy comparison.
Examples (for reference): EURUSD / USDJPY / AUDUSD / GBPUSD, etc.
※ This does not mean “this currency will always win.”
Spread characteristics vary by broker and account type, so this is about how easy it is to consider them as candidates.
Step 2: Check spreads for your expected operating hours
Even the same currency can feel different depending on the environment.
Look at the time you plan to operate; if a currency tends to exceed 2.0 pips, exclude it from candidates.
This alone already changes the level of volatility.
Step 3: Compare under the same conditions and look at “volatility” rather than “win rate”
• Same lot design
• Same timeframe
• Same period
Then prioritize
• Frequency of deep lev progression
• Occurrences of drawdown expansion
For beginners, starting with currencies that have milder drawdowns leads to longer persistence.
4) If you’re unsure, just use this final check (final checklist)
If all three are YES, that currency is likely a good fit.
① Usual spread stays within 2.0 pips
② Tends to retrace more than continuing in one direction (more range-oriented)
③ Frequency of spreads spiking during events or thin times is low
5) Product page
Envelope mean-reversion EA (lev8 / lev10) available here
× ![]()
