GARM-X Gold Auction Repricing
- Sandra Wakefield
- 19 hours ago
- 10 min read
PSRC GARM-X Professional Whitepaper
Gold Auction Repricing Model
1. Executive Summary
GARM-X is a gold-specific institutional auction model designed to trade only when XAUUSD enters a qualified repricing environment. The model is not a generic buy/sell indicator. It is a selective liquidity-and-regime engine that attempts to identify when gold transitions from passive balance into directional repricing after liquidity has been engineered.
The system is built around four principles:
Gold liquidity is session-driven.
Major gold moves often begin after liquidity sweeps.
VWAP and HTF alignment define whether the move is repricing or noise.
Execution must be selective enough to survive outside the optimized short window.
GARM-X is currently best understood as a sniper model, not a high-frequency scalper.
2. Strategy Thesis
Gold frequently builds inventory during Asia, engineers liquidity during London or pre-New York, then reprices aggressively during the New York liquidity window.
GARM-X attempts to exploit that behavior by waiting for:
Liquidity event → displacement → regime confirmation → precision retest → structured exit
The model does not chase every breakout. It waits for institutional confirmation that price is leaving one auction area and repricing toward another.
The core hypothesis:
The highest-quality gold trades occur when liquidity has been swept, displacement confirms intent, VWAP confirms acceptance, and HTF/volume proxy conditions support repricing.
3. Core Logic
3.1 Auction Map
GARM-X maps the active gold auction using:
Asia High / Asia Low
London High / London Low
Previous Day High / Low
Previous Week High / Low
Round-number liquidity
Daily VWAP
Asia AVWAP
London AVWAP
HTF EMA structure
These levels form the working liquidity map.
The model asks:
Where is liquidity resting?
Was it swept?
Did price reject or accept?
Is the market repricing or still balanced?
3.2 Liquidity Sweep Engine
The system identifies liquidity raids above or below important reference levels.
Long-side sweep examples:
Sweep below Asia Low
Sweep below previous day low
Sweep below previous week low
Sweep below round-number liquidity
Then reclaim back above the swept level
Short-side sweep examples:
Sweep above Asia High
Sweep above previous day high
Sweep above previous week high
Sweep above round-number liquidity
Then reject back below the swept level
The sweep itself is not enough. It must be followed by confirmation.
3.3 Displacement Confirmation
After the sweep, GARM-X requires displacement.
For longs:
Bullish body expansion
Micro-structure break
Close above reclaimed liquidity
VWAP acceptance
For shorts:
Bearish body expansion
Micro-structure break
Close below rejected liquidity
VWAP acceptance
This is what separates a true auction shift from a random wick.
3.4 Repricing Gate
The repricing gate is the heart of the model.
The system blocks trades unless gold shows evidence of directional repricing.
The gate evaluates:
HTF bias
Daily EMA slope
H4 EMA slope
VWAP slope
ATR regime
GC futures CVD proxy
Daily VWAP position
Bull/bear regime score
When this gate is inactive, the HUD displays:
NO REPRICING
That is not a flaw. That is the model refusing to trade low-quality environments.
3.5 Router Logic
GARM-X uses a router to decide whether the environment supports bullish or bearish execution.
Router states:
BULL
BEAR
NO RP
OFF
A bullish route requires sufficient agreement between:
Price above key HTF references
Positive VWAP slope
Supportive GC CVD proxy
Daily VWAP acceptance
Bull score dominance
A bearish route requires the opposite:
Price below key HTF references
Negative VWAP slope
Bearish GC CVD proxy
Daily VWAP rejection
Bear score dominance
The current accepted production behavior is selective. The model may sit inactive for long periods until the router confirms a real repricing environment.
4. Setup Types
4.1 FA-L — Failed Auction Long
A failed auction long occurs when price raids downside liquidity, fails to continue lower, then reclaims the auction.
Ideal sequence:
Sweep below liquidity
Reclaim
Bullish displacement
VWAP acceptance
Router supports long repricing
Precision entry on confirmation or pullback
Best condition:
Gold sweeps downside liquidity into London / NY transition, then New York reprices higher.
4.2 FA-S — Failed Auction Short
A failed auction short occurs when price raids upside liquidity, fails to continue higher, then rejects the auction.
Ideal sequence:
Sweep above liquidity
Rejection
Bearish displacement
VWAP rejection
Router supports short repricing
Precision entry on confirmation or pullback
Best condition:
Gold sweeps buy-side liquidity into London / pre-NY, then New York reprices lower.
4.3 C-L — Continuation Long
A continuation long occurs when gold has already shown bullish intent and continues after reclaiming or breaking auction structure.
Ideal sequence:
Bullish regime
London trap or prior sweep
Breakout through liquidity
VWAP support
HTF alignment
Pullback or confirmation entry
Best condition:
Trend-day continuation after New York confirms direction.
4.4 C-S — Continuation Short
A continuation short occurs when gold has already shown bearish intent and continues after rejecting or breaking auction structure.
Ideal sequence:
Bearish regime
London trap or prior sweep
Breakdown through liquidity
VWAP rejection
HTF alignment
Pullback or confirmation entry
Best condition:
Bearish repricing after failed upside auction or bearish macro impulse.
5. Entry Logic
GARM-X supports three entry styles.
5.1 Hybrid Entry — Default
This is the preferred mode.
It allows:
Confirmation close entries
Pullback entries
VWAP retests
AVWAP retests
Swept-level retests
FVG retests
Hybrid is best because gold often moves quickly after a liquidity event, but still frequently retests the origin of displacement.
5.2 Pullback Only
This is more conservative.
It waits for:
Retest of swept level
Retest of VWAP / AVWAP
Retest of FVG
Best for traders who want fewer entries and less chase risk.
5.3 Confirmation Close
This is more aggressive.
It enters immediately after the confirmation bar closes.
Best for fast gold repricing moves, but it can suffer worse entry price during high volatility.
6. Exit Model
GARM-X uses a structured partial-exit model.
Default exit split:
TP1: 25%
TP2: 25%
Runner: 50%
Default R structure:
TP1: 1.25R
TP2: 2.50R
Runner: 3R to 4R depending on router state
6.1 TP1
TP1 is the first de-risking point.
Purpose:
Reduce exposure
Confirm trade progress
Prepare for break-even logic
6.2 TP2
TP2 captures the second expansion leg.
Purpose:
Lock meaningful profit
Prepare runner management
Activate trailing logic where applicable
6.3 Runner
The runner is designed for gold’s expansion profile.
Runner targets may use:
Liquidity node
Round number
Previous session extreme
Previous day/week level
Fallback R multiple
This is critical because gold often produces asymmetric repricing moves when the model catches the correct session expansion.
6.4 Break-Even Logic
After TP1, the model can move the virtual stop toward break-even, but only when conditions are acceptable.
Default logic:
Move to BE after TP1
Require VWAP acceptance before BE
This avoids choking trades too early during normal gold pullbacks.
6.5 Runner Trail
After TP2, the model can trail the runner using:
Chandelier trail
Swing trail
EMA20 trail
Hybrid trail
Default:
Chandelier
This is appropriate for gold because expansion legs can be sharp and volatile.
7. Why This Is Fund-Grade
“Fund-grade” does not mean guaranteed profitable. It means the design follows institutional process standards rather than retail indicator logic.
GARM-X qualifies as fund-grade in architecture because it has:
7.1 Edge Isolation
The system does not trade generic technical signals. It isolates a specific market behavior:
Gold liquidity sweep + auction failure/continuation + repricing confirmation
That gives the strategy a defined edge hypothesis.
7.2 Regime Awareness
Most retail systems fail because they trade every condition.
GARM-X blocks:
No-repricing environments
Flat VWAP conditions
Weak ATR regimes
Counter-HTF continuation trades
Low-quality balance conditions
Shock candles
News windows
Bad timeframes
This improves live-trading realism.
7.3 Institutional Timing
The model is built around gold’s real liquidity windows:
Asia inventory
London trap
New York execution
US macro lockout
It does not assume all hours are equal.
7.4 Multi-Layer Confirmation
The model requires agreement between independent components:
Liquidity
Market structure
VWAP
HTF trend
ATR regime
GC CVD proxy
Cross-gold confirmation
Session timing
This reduces dependency on a single fragile signal.
7.5 Deployment-Ready Signal Layer
The v2.9 indicator includes:
Dynamic webhook alerts
Idempotency keys
Broker symbol override
OCO group IDs
Suggested quantity
SL / TP1 / TP2 / runner payloads
Duplicate-signal diagnostics
Live-readiness status
This prepares the system for automated execution through cTrader.
7.6 Controlled Trade Frequency
Current validated behavior is selective:
Short-window: 7 trades
365D: 26 trades
That is appropriate for a sniper gold model. The objective is not to trade constantly. The objective is to participate only during qualified repricing.
8. Best Use Case
GARM-X is best used as:
A New York-session gold repricing model
Primary use:
XAUUSD 5-minute chart
New York execution window
Liquidity-sweep and continuation trades
Semi-automated or fully automated execution
Best trader profile:
Professional discretionary trader
Prop firm trader
Systematic gold trader
Execution-desk operator
cTrader automation user
Not ideal for:
High-frequency scalping
Random-session trading
Low-volatility Asian range scalping
Trading during major unscheduled news
Over-optimized symbol hopping
9. Best Assets
Tier 1 — Primary Asset
XAUUSD
This is the core symbol. All model logic was designed around spot gold behavior.
Best brokers:
IC Markets
OANDA
Other deep-liquidity XAUUSD CFD providers
Important: broker feed differences matter. The model should be validated per broker because XAUUSD highs/lows can vary slightly across feeds.
Tier 2 — Confirmation / Secondary Testing
XAUUSD micro/standard CFD variants
Gold Spot/USD equivalents
Broker-specific XAUUSD symbols
Examples:
XAUUSD
GOLD
XAUUSD.r
XAUUSDm
Only use after adjusting symbol mapping and spread assumptions.
Tier 3 — Cross-Gold Confirmation Assets
These are better as confirmation symbols than direct trading symbols:
XAUEUR
XAUJPY
GC futures
Their main use is to confirm whether the gold move is broad-based or isolated to USD movement.
Not Recommended Without Re-Validation
Silver
Oil
NASDAQ
BTC
EURUSD
GBPJPY
US30
DAX
The model logic may transfer conceptually, but the default settings are gold-specific. Do not assume edge portability.
10. Best Timeframes
Primary Timeframe
5-minute
This is the best current operating timeframe.
Reason:
Good balance between signal precision and noise filtering
Captures gold liquidity sweeps
Works well with NY session repricing
Maintains realistic trade frequency
Acceptable Timeframes
3-minute
5-minute
15-minute
3-Minute
Best for more aggressive entries.
Pros:
Earlier entries
More precision around sweeps
Better for active desk monitoring
Cons:
More noise
More false displacement
Requires tighter execution controls
5-Minute
Best production default.
Pros:
Balanced precision
Less noise than 1m/3m
Good session structure
Best validated behavior so far
15-Minute
Best for conservative traders.
Pros:
Cleaner signals
Less noise
Better for semi-manual execution
Cons:
Later entries
Wider stops
Fewer trades
Potentially reduced R efficiency
Not Recommended
1-minute
30-minute
1-hour+
1-Minute
Too noisy for the current model unless redesigned with microstructure-specific filters.
30-Minute+
Too slow for the precision-entry logic. It may miss the actual sweep/reclaim mechanics that make the model effective.
11. Best Sessions
Primary Session
New York: 07:30–11:30 New York time
This is the model’s main execution window.
Best sub-window:
08:30–10:30 New York time
Why:
High gold liquidity
US macro flow
Institutional repricing
Breakout/continuation potential
Setup Formation Windows
Asia
18:00–03:00 New York time
Purpose:
Build inventory range
Create liquidity highs/lows
Define initial auction map
London
02:00–05:00 New York time
Purpose:
Engineer traps
Sweep Asia liquidity
Create pre-NY directional bias
New York
07:30–11:30 New York time
Purpose:
Execute repricing leg
Confirm or invalidate London trap
Expand toward liquidity objectives
12. News Handling
The default news lockout is:
08:25–08:40 New York time
This protects against uncontrolled US macro volatility.
The model can still catch post-news repricing, but it avoids firing directly into the release window.
This is important for gold because spreads, slippage, and wick behavior can become extreme around:
CPI
NFP
FOMC
PCE
Retail Sales
ISM
Unemployment data
Fed speeches
Geopolitical shocks
Manual override should be conservative.
13. Default Production Settings
Recommended default operating profile:
Symbol: XAUUSD
Timeframe: 5m
Router Mode: Consensus Routed
Repricing Gate: ON
Block Neutral Trading: ON
HTF Filter: All setups
HTF Bias Model: H4 EMA200 + Daily EMA50
Entry Style: Hybrid
Risk Per Trade: 0.50%
TP1: 1.25R
TP2: 2.50R
Runner: 3R–4R
TP Split: 25 / 25 / 50
Max Signals Per Day: 3
News Lockout: ON
Dynamic Alerts: ON
Duplicate Protection: Diagnostic only
For live deployment:
Fire Realtime Alerts Only: ON
Route Destination: cTrader Bridge
Broker Symbol Override: set to broker symbol if needed
Deployment Mode: PAPER first, then LIVE-SMALL
14. Operating Procedure
Pre-Session Checklist
Before NY open:
1. Confirm symbol is correct.
2. Confirm timeframe is 5m.
3. Confirm broker feed is active.
4. Confirm GC confirmation data is loading.
5. Confirm XAUEUR / XAUJPY data is loading if used.
6. Confirm HUD says READY.
7. Confirm health is GREEN or acceptable YELLOW.
8. Confirm news lockout schedule.
9. Confirm max signals per day.
10. Confirm cTrader bridge status once ported.
During Session
Only act when:
Router is BULL or BEAR
Repricing gate is active
Setup appears
BUY or SELL signal fires
SL/TP structure is visible
Alert payload is generated
Do not manually force trades during:
NO REPRICING
REGIME LOCK
NEWS LOCK
BAD TF
BAD QTY SPLIT
SIGNAL LOCK
Post-Session Review
Record:
Signal ID
Setup type
Router state
HTF bias
Entry price
SL
TP1
TP2
Runner
Exit result
Session bucket
Reason code
Execution slippage
Broker fill quality
This will matter for the cTrader execution journal.
15. Failure Conditions
GARM-X is expected to struggle during:
15.1 Choppy Balance
Symptoms:
Flat VWAP
Low ATR ratio
Price oscillates around daily VWAP
No clean displacement
Model response:
NO REPRICING
15.2 News Shock Without Retest
Gold may explode in one direction without a clean retest.
Model response:
Often no entry
This is acceptable. The system is not designed to chase uncontrolled candles.
15.3 Broker Feed Distortion
Different XAUUSD feeds may produce different sweep highs/lows.
Risk:
Signal appears on one broker but not another
SL/TP distances vary
Execution differs from TradingView
Solution:
Use the broker’s closest TradingView feed
Validate symbol mapping
Use cTrader-side protection
15.4 Excessive Spread / Slippage
Gold spreads can widen materially around rollover, news, and illiquid periods.
Risk:
Backtest and indicator levels look good
Live execution underperforms
Solution:
cTrader port must enforce spread filter, slippage checks, and broker-side SL immediately after fill.
15.5 Overriding NO REPRICING
The model’s main protection is not trading.
Manual override during blocked regimes is a major violation.
16. Risk Management Rules
Recommended live risk progression:
Paper Phase
Risk: 0%
Execution: alert-only / paper
Minimum sample: 30–50 signals
Goal: validate payloads, fills, timing, spread behavior
Live-Small Phase
Risk: 0.10%–0.25%
Minimum sample: 30 live trades
Goal: confirm slippage and order handling
Production Phase
Risk: 0.25%–0.50%
Only after cTrader execution logs match expected behavior
Avoid exceeding:
0.50% per trade
3 trades per day
3 consecutive losses
1.5% daily loss
4% weekly loss
17. cTrader Port Requirements
The cTrader version should not recreate alpha. It should consume the TradingView indicator payload and act as the execution authority.
Required cTrader functions:
Webhook receiver or bridge parser
Idempotency-key protection
Broker symbol validation
Spread filter
Session filter
Risk sizing
Market order execution
Broker-side SL/TP immediately after fill
TP1 partial close
TP2 partial close
Runner management
Break-even after TP1
Trailing after TP2
Emergency kill switch
Max daily loss
Max consecutive losses
Max trades per day
Execution journal
Dashboard HUD
The cTrader bot should reject any payload with:
Duplicate idempotency key
Expired timestamp
Invalid symbol
Invalid side
Invalid SL
Invalid quantity
Spread above limit
Risk above limit
Account not authorized
Live mode not armed
18. Final Deployment Classification
Current model status:
GARM-X v2.8 Strategy: Accepted benchmark
GARM-X v2.9 Indicator: Signal authority candidate
cTrader Port: Next execution layer
Current best use:
XAUUSD
5-minute
New York session
Repricing-only environments
Paper or forward-test mode before live execution
Professional verdict:
GARM-X is a fund-style gold repricing model, not because it guarantees profit, but because it uses a defined market thesis, regime gating, liquidity logic, risk controls, session awareness, execution payloads, and deployment discipline.
The next build should be the cTrader execution bridge, with TradingView v2.9 acting as the signal authority and cTrader acting as the broker-side execution and risk authority.
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