Instrument Differentiation: Symbol Name vs Instrument Type

[jeronymite]

Various Instruments have the same symbol name, even though of different Instrument types.

For example, EURUSD is both Forex and CFD. In this case, NinjaTrader adds a "@" at the start of the name for the CFD, meaning EURUSD is the Forex symbol name, and @EURUSD is the CFD name.

In the case of ETHUSD, the same principle applies, for the CryptoCurrency and the CFD. However, if one connects the BitMEX data feed, a third ETHUSD is added, being the Perpetual Swap with the same symbol, but with Instrument type of Stock.

Questions:

1. How is the BitMEX Perpetual Swap for ETHUSD (for example) distinguished as a named symbol?
2. Generally, how should one use Instrument.GetInstrument(<Instrument Name>) to ensure the correct Instrument is returned for any/all variations of an Instrument symbol with a common name across multiple Instrument types?

Thanks.

[NinjaTrader_ChrisL]

Hello jeronymite, thanks for writing in.

Bitmex made an addon that will let you connect to its price feed API. As to how that works I do not know and it might be creating this ETHUSD stock when connected. Connecting to a supported provider will not automatically add instruments to a database, only if you pull up an instrument on a chart that does not exist in the database will NinjaTrader automatically add a default instrument as a stock. In the database only each symbol must have a unique name, so pulling ETHUSD will pull the currency pair and pulling @EURUSD will pull the CFD.

Please let me know if I can assist any further.

[jeronymite]

Thanks, Chris.

It is the BitMEX NinjaTrader AddOn that I am referring to. It behaves as indicated in my original post, hence my questions. Grateful for advice on those.

Thanks.

[NinjaTrader_ChrisL]

Hello jeronymite, thanks for your reply.

The "Perpetual Swap" is a derivative way to bet on Bitcoin price. You can not trade or do any order submission with the CoinBase or BitMex connection, so it does not seem applicable.

The CFD type instrument string would begin with "@" and the currency pair will not have "@" the string.

Please let me know if I can assist any further.

[jeronymite]

Thanks, Chris.

Although one cannot trade live on either connection, one can trade Sim accounts, so the principle still applies: how does one differentiate the "Perpetual Swap" from the Crypto and CFD varieties of the Instrument name?

Thanks.

[NinjaTrader_ChrisL]

Hello jeronymite, thanks for your reply.

There is no supported way to trade a Perpetual Swap of the cryptocurrency and there is no such instrument type in the platform currently.

Please let me know if this does not resolve your inquiry.

[jeronymite]

Thanks, Chris. I appreciate the update.

Since it may be possible to trade such Instruments through a BitMEX account (presumably), it would be appropriate to support such trades in NinjaTrader 8, assuming BitMEX is a supported Provider. Given that BitMEX classifies these Perpetual Swaps as Stock, is there any "workaround" to identify the Instrument type or otherwise work with the Instrument in an "informed" way?

Thanks.

[NinjaTrader_ChrisL]

Hello jeronymite, thanks for your reply.

Bitmex is not an officially supported connection, so we will not be able to add any special functionality that they provide through there services or platforms. There is no workaround to get perpetual swaps in NinjaTrader at this time.

Please let me know if this does not resolve your inquiry.

[jeronymite]

Thanks, Chris. Understood.