Stock Trading and Other Things

does one need a license to day trade or buy and sell stocks or call market tops and bottoms?

ive recently come across some good courses in trading buying selling etc and would like to give it a shot i dont trust online e-trades or investment firms and would like to get started as a DIY project any helpful hints

Public Comments

1. Anyone with a brokerage account can trade as often as they wish. However, since you "dont trust online e-trades or investment firms", you would need to become licensed,bonded, insured, registered, etc. as a stock brokerage firm. This would involve more than most individuals could afford or have the expertise to accomplish.
Almost all brokerages, including the on-line ones, are licensed, and insured. Having traded for a very long time, I have never had a problem with their service or fairness.

2. If this is in the U.S. to day trade with any frequency (more than 3 times in any 5 business days), you need a margin account with $25,000 in assets at a broker.

Not sure what you mean that you don't trust e-trades or investment firms. Most trades are done electronically and you need some sort of licensed broker to make trades through. I use Fidelity for longer term investments and thinkorswim.com for shorter term trades and options. But if you really want to daytrade at minimal cost with access to worldwide exchanges, you might look at somebody like interactivebrokers.com