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🚀 Happy Friday, Munchers! It’s the day we pretend to ‘wrap up the week’ but secretly keep one eye on the charts… because the markets don’t take weekends off, and neither do we!

On today’s menu:

• Canada vs. Trump: The Tariff Battle Begins 🇨🇦🇺🇸

• The Rise & Fall of Prop Firms 📉 

• How To Automatically Be Better Than 25% of Traders 💪 

Canada vs. Trump: The Tariff Battle Begins 🇨🇦🇺🇸

Here we go again, traders.

President-elect Trump is threatening a massive 25% tariff on all Canadian imports and that means the first big trade war of 2025 is set to begin.

This isn’t just breaking news—it’s been simmering for weeks.

But with Trump set to take office in just three days, the heat is officially on.

Why This Matters to Traders 🤔

This tariff showdown is more than just headlines—it's a major setup for how markets could move in the weeks and months ahead. Let’s break it down:

1. USD/CAD: The Forex Tug-of-War Intensifies

The Canadian Dollar is already feeling the strain as Canadian crude and natural gas prices trade at steeper discounts to their U.S. counterparts.

If Trump slaps on a 25% tariff, expect the CAD to weaken even further against the USD.

But don’t count the loonie out just yet—Canada’s rumored retaliatory tariffs could throw the USD/CAD pair into chaos, making it a key trade to watch in the coming days.

2. Inflation: A Powder Keg Waiting to Explode

Here’s the kicker: tariffs aren’t just a Canadian headache.

If Trump moves forward, Americans could feel the pinch at the pump, the grocery store, and on their energy bills.

Higher prices would heap even more pressure on inflation, which the Fed has been trying (and failing) to get back to 2%.

This could derail any hopes of rate cuts this year.

No rate cuts = say goodbye to that Bitcoin and stock market rally. 😭 

3. Oil and Gas Markets: A Domino Effect

Canadian crude is already trading at a steep discount to WTI, and natural gas flows are starting to show cracks.

A full-blown trade war could disrupt energy markets further, pushing U.S. natural gas prices higher and creating volatility in oil spreads.

For traders, this means opportunities on both sides, depending on how the dust settles.

What’s Next?

It’s been weeks since the tariff threat hit the table, but with Trump taking office in just three days, the stakes are higher than ever.

Canada is rumoured to be planning retaliatory tariffs on Monday if Trump goes all-in, which could escalate tensions even further.

For traders, this is a time to stay sharp.

Watch USD/CAD, crude spreads, and inflation-sensitive assets closely.

This tariff showdown isn’t just about Canada—it could set the tone for 2025’s market narrative. 🌶️

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PROP FIRMS

The Rise and Fall of Fintokei: A Lesson for Traders 🚩

Not long ago, Fintokei was hailed as one of the most reliable and transparent prop trading firms in the game.

It had glowing reviews, traders sang its praises, and it stood out as a firm that actually seemed to care about its clients.

But that seems to have changed…

This week, Prop Firm Media dropped a bombshell on Twitter, calling out Fintokei for turning into one of the "most restricted" firms in the industry.

From glory to red flags—what went wrong?

Let’s break it down.

The Problem with Restrictions 🚫

It seems that Fintokei’s downfall started when they introduced strict rules like limiting traders to winning or losing no more than 1% per day.

For context, that’s like telling LeBron James he can only score 10 points in a game—it kills momentum and makes it nearly impossible to achieve meaningful results.

And it’s not just this 1% rule.

As companies face financial strain, they often resort to increasingly restrictive policies:

• Consistency rules that force traders to spread gains evenly across trades.

• News trading bans that block you from trading during high-impact events.

• Profit caps that neuter any chance of a big win.

While these rules are framed as “risk management,” let’s be real—they often just protect the firm at the trader’s expense.

Why This Keeps Happening

Fintokei isn’t the first prop firm to go from hero to zero.

It’s part of a pattern we’ve seen play out time and time again.

Firms start strong with trader-friendly policies, but when payouts begin piling up and the firm struggles financially, they tighten the reins.

Instead of innovating, they shift the burden onto traders.

The result?

A slow erosion of trust.

Traders leave, word spreads, and the firm’s reputation takes a nosedive.

What This Means for You

If you’re a trader, this is a timely reminder to read the fine print.

Don’t just sign up for a firm because it has flashy ads or big promises.

Look for transparency, a history of trustworthiness, and payout policies that don’t strangle your trading style.

While Fintokei’s restrictions are frustrating, they highlight a larger issue in the prop firm space.

Many firms struggle to balance trader success with financial sustainability.

The firms that manage to do both? They’re rare, but they’re out there.

Choose wisely, Munchers.

And remember: If it feels too good to be true, it probably is. 🚩

🚀 Pre-Market Fuel

1. How to automatically be better than 25% of traders. It’s so easy!

2. Apple has it’s worst day since August, dropping 4%.

🍪 Munchy Memes

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