Media OutReach

Trade smarter: using volatility to maximise potential on OctaTrader

Published

11 months ago

26/07/2025

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 July 2025 – Volatility is what makes trading possible. It fuels every market movement and creates opportunities where none existed a moment before. Without it, the concept of trading as it stands today would simply not exist. As the pulse of the market, volatility shapes the ebb and flow of price dynamics—sometimes driven by trading itself, sometimes setting the pace for it. This article explores what volatility is, why it matters, and how to harness it effectively with OctaTrader, the proprietary platform developed by the globally trusted broker, Octa.

Volatility as a Key Trading Factor
In simple terms, volatility measures how much a financial instrument’s price changes over a certain time period. Volatility is like the market’s heartbeat—a strong, fluctuating pulse indicates high volatility, while a slow, steady rhythm suggests low volatility. In the Forex market, volatility essentially tells a trader how much a currency pair like EUR/USD or GBP/JPY is bouncing around, and it is this movement that traders thrive on. In other words, volatility is not just a statistical measure: it’s the very essence of opportunity and risk. Whether scalping for quick pips, riding longer trends, or holding positions for weeks, volatility has a direct impact on trading strategies.

Every trader should know or at least partly understand the level of volatility of the instrument that they are currently trading. This knowledge will enable a trader to:

Maximise trading potential. Larger price swings mean more significant potential gains (or losses). High volatility can signal breakout opportunities or strong trends.
Manage risk more effectively. Knowing volatility helps to set adequate stop-loss and take-profit orders. In a volatile market, a trader might need wider stops to avoid getting whipsawed.
Improve entry time. Low volatility might mean a market is ‘resting’ before a big move, while high volatility could signal overbought or oversold conditions.

When professional traders talk about volatility, they often refer to ‘implied annual volatility’. This is a forward-looking measure, representing the market’s expectation of how much an asset’s price will fluctuate over a year. It is derived from options prices and is annualised to a percentage. While calculating implied volatility often involves complex pricing models, a simpler way for a retail trader to grasp volatility is to look at historical price movements. For example, if a currency pair has consistently moved an average of 80 pips per day over the past month, its daily volatility for that period could be considered to be 80 pips.

However, volatility isn’t just about raw price changes; it’s relative. A trader cannot just look at today’s price swings in isolation. Instead, comparing price movements against historical data helps determine whether the market is unusually calm or wildly active. For example, if EUR/USD moves 50 pips a day on average but suddenly jumps 150 pips, that’s high volatility compared to its norm. At the same time, a 100-pip move in a currency pair might be considered high volatility on a quiet trading day, but completely normal during a major economic data release. In other words, volatility can only truly be understood in relation to historical price action.

Measure the pulse: volatility indicators on OctaTrader
Calculating volatility manually requires determining the average closing price of a particular asset over a selected period, then measuring deviations by subtracting the average from the latest closing price, squaring the deviations to eliminate negative values, summing them, dividing the total by the number of periods analysed, and finally taking the square root. This method is not only complex but also time-consuming.

Recognising the crucial role of volatility calculation, Octa, a globally regulated and trusted broker, has equipped its traders with the right tools. Specifically, Octa has developed a proprietary trading platform, OctaTrader, which not only allows traders to place orders in the market, but also provides robust analytical capabilities. For measuring market volatility, OctaTrader has integrated several popular and effective indicators that help a trader gauge the market’s pulse: Average True Range (ATR), Bollinger Bands (BB), and Standard Deviation (SD). Let’s break them down and see how they work in practice.

OCTA TRADER INTERFACE - VOLATILITY INDICATORS (XAUUSD, 30-MINUTE TIMEFRAME) — *OCTA TRADER INTERFACE – VOLATILITY INDICATORS (XAUUSD, 30-MINUTE TIMEFRAME)*

Bollinger Bands (BB): These bands consist of three lines: a simple moving average (the middle band) and two standard deviation lines (upper and lower bands) plotted above and below it.

How it works: The bands widen when volatility spikes and contract when it drops, giving a trader a visual snapshot of market action. When prices touch or break out of the bands, it can signal overbought or oversold conditions, or the potential for a new trend.
Practical use: BBs are great for spotting anomalous conditions in the market. If the price touches the upper band, it signals that a trading instrument could be overbought and due for a pullback. If it dips below the lower band, it could be oversold, signalling a potential rebound. In other words, BBs are useful for mean-reversion strategies, where traders expect prices to return to the moving average within the bands.

Average True Range (ART): This indicator measures market volatility by calculating the average range between high, low, and closing prices over a specified period. It is called ‘true range’ because it accounts for gaps and wild price swings.

How it works: ATR gives a trader a single number to gauge volatility, making it especially practical to set stop-losses.
Practical use: A higher ATR means higher volatility and bigger price swings, so a trader would need to apply wider exit points to avoid getting stopped out prematurely. A lower ATR suggests lower volatility and narrower price ranges. If the ATR for XAU/USD is 25 pips, a trader might set a stop-loss 1-2 times the ATR (50-100 pips away from the entry point) to give the trade some room to run. ATR is also a great tool for understanding the ‘normal’ daily or hourly movement of a currency pair.

Standard Deviation (SD): This is an advanced statistical indicator that measures how much a financial instrument’s price deviates from its average over a set period.

How it works: SD indicator provides a direct numerical value of volatility. A higher SD means prices are widely dispersed (higher volatility), while a lower one means they’re tighter and are close to the average (lower volatility).
Practical use: SD is useful for comparing the volatility of different assets or different time periods for the same asset. Traders can use it to identify statistically significant price movements and assess the likelihood of the price continuing in a particular direction. If EUR/USD’s standard deviation spikes compared to its 20-day average, it might signal a volatile period ahead, prompting a trader to tighten stops or reduce position sizes.

Volatility isn’t just a number: it’s a signal. By understanding and utilising these powerful volatility indicators, available in the OctaTrader platform, traders can gain a deeper insight into market dynamics, decide when to enter or exit trades, adjust position sizes, or brace for big market moves. We understand that in the world of trading, trust is paramount. That is why Octa goes the extra mile to equip traders with the right tools.
Hashtag: #Octa

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Octa

Octa is an international CFD broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. It offers commission-free access to financial markets and various services used by clients from 180 countries who have opened more than 52 million trading accounts. To help its clients reach their investment goals, Octa offers free educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools.

The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charitable and humanitarian initiatives, including improving educational infrastructure and funding short-notice relief projects to support local communities.

In Southeast Asia, Octa received the ‘Best Trading Platform Malaysia 2024’ and the ‘Most Reliable Broker Asia 2023’ awards from Brands and Business Magazine and International Global Forex Awards, respectively.

Media OutReach

The VinFast VF 8 and the New Priorities of EV Ownership

Published

1 day ago

03/07/2026

Media Outreach

DUBAI, UAE – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 July 2026 – Today’s EV buyers are looking beyond range and horsepower. They want an ownership experience that is just as reassuring as the vehicle itself, and that is where the VinFast VF 8 makes a strong case.

Just a few years ago, conversations surrounding EV buying were dominated by battery size, driving range and acceleration. Those things still matter today, but they are no longer the whole story. As EVs move into the mainstream, buyer priorities are shifting toward practical, long-term considerations, including the post-purchase experience, charging convenience, straightforward servicing, and the enduring reliability of the brand. These factors increasingly shape purchasing decisions, and they also provide a useful lens through which to look at the VinFast VF 8, an all-electric mid-size SUV.

Designed by the legendary Italian design house Pininfarina, the all-electric D-segment SUV combines clean, modern styling with the practicality expected of a family vehicle. It delivers up to 493 km of NEDC driving range, produces up to 402 horsepower through a dual-motor AWD system, and comes equipped with Level 2 driver assistance technologies, a 15.6-inch infotainment display, and a spacious cabin designed for everyday comfort. In the UAE, buyers also benefit from a 10-year vehicle warranty, a 10-year unlimited-mileage battery warranty, alongside 24/7 roadside assistance and five years of free maintenance up to 100,000 km.

While the VF 8 already has plenty to offer on paper, the real challenge is making ownership feel effortless once the excitement of the purchase has passed. Recognizing that, VinFast has invested heavily in the ecosystem that supports its vehicles.

Earlier this year, the company signed agreements with 29 international aftersales partners as part of a broader plan to expand its global service network to more than 1,100 workshops across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia during 2026. The company is also rolling out customer support initiatives such as software updates, battery inspections, and technical support throughout the ownership journey.

In the UAE specifically, VinFast works with Al Tayer Motors to provide local aftersales support while continuing to strengthen its regional service network through experienced local partners. In March, the company signed an MoU with PlusX Electric, a DEWA-approved charging provider, to extend support beyond the dealership network. The plan includes portable charging pods, on-demand mobile charging, and emergency roadside charging services. The goal is to reduce downtime and eliminate the awkward scenario of running low on charge far from a plug.

“VinFast is committed to building a long-term and comprehensive EV ecosystem in the UAE, one that gives customers confidence not only in the quality and performance of our electric vehicles, but also in the reliability and accessibility of the supporting infrastructure,” one executive of VinFast Middle East said in a press release.

The Middle East is entering an important stage of its EV journey, with governments investing in cleaner mobility and consumers enjoying more choices than ever before. As the market evolves, delivering a competitive vehicle is only part of the equation, while making ownership straightforward is becoming just as important. The VinFast VF 8 reflects that shift, pairing the features of a modern electric SUV with growing investments in charging, aftersales support, and customer service.

Hashtag: #VinFast #EV

https://me.vinfast.com/en

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Media OutReach

ISCA Accountants Move Beyond the Numbers to Help Singaporeans Navigate Life’s Financial Decisions

Published

1 day ago

03/07/2026

Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 July 2026 – The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) launched Life & Money Matters, a nationwide community initiative that aims to help Singaporeans make informed financial decisions with confidence throughout every stage of life.

The initiative will be administered by ISCA Cares, ISCA’s charitable arm, which has spent more than a decade supporting the community through bursaries, mentorship and outreach programmes. Building on this strong foundation, Life & Money Matters expands ISCA Cares’ community impact by mobilising the knowledge and expertise of the accountancy profession to help Singaporeans build practical financial capability and long-term resilience. This reflects ISCA Cares’ strategic shift from “giving” to “enabling”, expanding its community impact through the knowledge and expertise of the accountancy profession.

Every major life decision carries a financial dimension, whether it is pursuing further education, entering the workforce, starting a family, purchasing a home, caring for ageing parents or planning for retirement. As financial decisions become increasingly complex, Life & Money Matters seeks to equip Singaporeans with practical knowledge and decision-making skills to navigate these milestones with greater confidence.

The initiative will bring together ISCA members and accounting and finance professionals to volunteer their expertise in communities across Singapore. Through a combination of digital learning resources and community workshops, participants will gain practical guidance on everyday financial topics such as budgeting, managing financial trade-offs, planning ahead, recognising financial scams and building long term financial resilience.

Unlike traditional financial literacy programmes, Life & Money Matters focuses on helping individuals make better financial decisions throughout their life, rather than by promoting financial products or investment strategies. The programme is designed to be practical, impartial and accessible, supporting Singaporeans from different age groups and backgrounds, including students, young adults, families, seniors and vulnerable households.

Mr Lee Boon Teck, President of ISCA, said: “Every life decision has a financial dimension. As trusted finance professionals, accountants have a responsibility not only to support businesses but also to contribute to society. Through Life & Money Matters, we hope to empower Singaporeans with the confidence to make better financial decisions while giving our members a meaningful platform to use their expertise in service of the community. By strengthening financial capability, we can also strengthen households and build more resilient communities.”

Life & Money Matters will be rolled out progressively in the second half of 2026 through partnerships with community organisations, schools, grassroots organisations and other stakeholders.

ISCA recognises distinguished contributions to the profession

At the ISCA Annual Dinner, ISCA also recognised distinguished individuals whose leadership and contributions have made a lasting impact on Singapore’s accountancy profession, business community and public service.

ISCA Honorary Membership, was conferred on Mrs Tan Ching Yee in recognition of her outstanding contributions to Singapore’s accountancy profession, public administration, corporate regulatory ecosystem and national development.

Mrs Tan said: “I am deeply honoured to receive the ISCA Honorary Membership. I am grateful for the recognition. I share this honour with the many colleagues and partners I have had the privilege to work with over the years in support of Singapore’s accountancy profession and broader public interest. I hope to continue contributing to the profession’s development.”

The ISCA Distinguished Lifetime Membership was conferred on Mr Phillip Tan in recognition of his longstanding contributions to the accountancy profession, business community and public service.

Mr Tan said: “I am honoured to receive the Distinguished Lifetime Membership from ISCA. I am humbled by this recognition and I am grateful for the opportunity to have contributed to the profession along with my fellow colleagues and partners over the years. I recognise and commend ISCA’s work in ensuring that professional judgement, ethics and trust remain at the core of professional accountants in Singapore and I hope to continue sharing my expertise with the profession for many more years to come.”

ISCA also presented the Special Appreciation Award to the ISCA Strengthening Small and Medium Practices Taskforce for its leadership in developing a strategic roadmap to strengthen Singapore’s small and medium sized accounting practices through extensive stakeholder engagement and industry collaboration.

Hashtag: #ISCA #CharteredAccountants #AnnualDinner #DifferenceMakers #Accounting #Accountancy

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA)

The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) is the national accountancy body of Singapore. Established in 1963, ISCA administers the Singapore Chartered Accountant Qualification programme and is the designated entity by the Singapore Ministry of Finance to confer the Chartered Accountant of Singapore [CA (Singapore)] designation.

ISCA supports over 45,000 members across industries in Singapore and globally, with members in more than 40 countries. With a growing international presence, ISCA has 12 overseas chapters, 7 offices across 10 countries and a network of over 150 strategic partners, strengthening professional connections and opportunities across borders. ISCA is also a member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide, a global network representing more than 1.8 million Chartered Accountants and students across over 190 countries.

ISCA advances professional development and lifelong learning through ISCA Academy, its training arm and drives community impact through ISCA Cares, its charity arm.

For more information, visit .

Media OutReach

60,000 Accountancy and Corporate Finance Professionals to Be AI-Ready Over Three Years

Published

1 day ago

03/07/2026

Media Outreach

ISCA and IMDA launch AIxAccountancy, the first AI fluency programme for non-tech professionals under the National AI Impact Programme

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 July 2026 – The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) officially launched the AI Fluency Programme, AIxAccountancy, today. The programme will empower accountancy and corporate finance professionals with the skills, confidence and know-how to use artificial intelligence (AI) effectively and responsibly at work. It supports ISCA’s broader commitment to strengthening AI capabilities across the profession, in line with its ambition to upskill 60,000 accountancy and corporate finance professionals [1] over a three-year period.

2. AIxAccountancy is the first training programme developed through IMDA’s partnership with professional bodies under the National AI Impact Programme (NAIIP) [2], which aims to train 100,000 non-tech professionals to become AI bilingual over the next three years. Prior to its launch, more than 20,000 individuals [3] across the public and private sectors, including tertiary students, had already expressed interest in AIxAccountancy, reflecting strong demand to build AI capabilities. The Accountant-General’s Department is also planning to incorporate the programme as part of the learning and development of all 4,000 public sector finance and internal audit officers. To make the programme widely accessible, AIxAccountancy will be offered free to ISCA members who are Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents, including tertiary students.

Flexible AI training programme with industry-recognised credentials

3. AIxAccountancy is designed to offer flexible and structured online learning tailored for working professionals to learn at their own pace, fitting in their busy schedules so that their professional and personal commitments are not disrupted. The programme will be delivered in two progressive phases, enabling learners to develop core AI capabilities before advancing to specialised applications. Learners will gain hands-on experience with widely used AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot and Gemini, with the curriculum regularly refreshed to stay industry-relevant.

Phase 1 will focus on AI foundations for common workplace tasks, such as creating AI-enabled workflows for financial statement analysis. Learners will gain essential AI knowledge, hands-on experience with a range of AI tools, and the confidence to use AI effectively in their day-to-day work.
Phase 2 will focus on applying AI to role-specific workflows across accounting, finance, auditing, taxation and related disciplines.

4. Upon completing both phases, ISCA will award participants a Certificate of Completion, a digital badge and Continuing Professional Development Education (CPE) hours. The digital badge serves as a verifiable, tamper-proof record of achievement that recognises AI proficiency, signalling credibility to employers. It can be easily shared across professional platforms including LinkedIn.

5. Accounting professionals in, or aspiring to, management roles can also enrol in modules focused on AI implementation after completing the two phases. These modules are designed to equip them to lead the responsible adoption of AI and drive AI transformation within their organisations.

An AI sandbox to experiment and learn from peers and industry leaders

6. As part of AIxAccountancy, participants will also have access to AI Nexus, a dedicated hub for accountancy and corporate finance professionals to learn and share insights, resources and best practices on AI adoption. Through AI Nexus, participants can experiment, prototype and build their own AI-assisted workflows in a sandbox environment, applying their learning directly to real industry needs. Participants can also connect with peers, technology providers and educators to share and work on new use cases. Regular sharing sessions by leading accountancy companies and AI tool providers will further enrich the learning experience with best practices and real-world applications. Together, these channels ensure participants receive both expert guidance and meaningful peer-to-peer learning throughout the programme. Participants can access AI Nexus at: https://ainexus.isca.org.sg/.

7. Mr Lee Boon Teck, President of ISCA, said: “AI is reshaping the future of the accountancy profession. The professionals who will thrive are those who become AI bilingual, combining deep accounting expertise with the ability to use AI confidently, responsibly, and with sound professional judgement. AIxAccountancy is more than a training programme. It is a national profession transformation initiative that equips accountants and finance professionals with the skills and confidence to create greater value for businesses and society.”

8. Mr Ng Cher Pong, Chief Executive of IMDA, said: “AI delivers the most impact when it is grounded in domain expertise and applied to the work professionals know best. Our partnership with ISCA on AIxAccountancy reflects this approach by equipping accounting and corporate finance professionals not just with AI skills, but also with the ability to apply them meaningfully and responsibly in their day-to-day work. We look forward to seeing more professionals harness AI with confidence and purpose, becoming not only fluent, but truly AI bilingual in their field.”

9. Mrs Chia-Tern Huey Min, Chief Executive Officer of Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority, said: “ISCA’s AI Fluency Programme, AIxAccountancy, comes at an opportune time, as AI continues to reshape industries and redefine the way we work. It complements the refreshed Skills Framework for Accountancy, which embeds AI fluency across all 44 job roles – spanning data analytics, visualisation and strategic decision-making. Through this programme, accounting and finance professionals will gain the practical AI skills they need to thrive in this rapidly evolving landscape.”

10. The launch of the AIxAccountancy underscores ISCA and IMDA’s commitment to help the accountancy profession navigate the AI era. By equipping professionals with accessible learning, practical AI experimentation and community collaboration, ISCA aims to accelerate AI adoption across the profession while ensuring professional judgement, ethics and trust remain at the core of professional accountants in an increasingly AI-driven business environment.

[1] The AI Fluency Programme ambitions announced by ISCA on 12 November 2025: https://isca.org.sg/content-item?id=372ef303-e135-4a4a-94e0-e1e157b9aed4.

[2] NAIIP announcement at the Ministry of Digital Development and Information’s (MDDI) Committee of Supply (COS) 2026: https://www.imda.gov.sg/resources/press-releases-factsheets-and-speeches/national-ai-impact-programme.

[3] These include professionals from accounting and professional services firms, corporates, individuals who registered their interest through the AIxAccountancy sign-up form, and other industry professionals, as well as tertiary students.

Hashtag: #ISCA #CharteredAccountants #AIxAccountancy #AIFluency #AIBilingualism #DifferenceMakers #Accounting #Accountancy

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA)

ISCA advances professional development and lifelong learning through ISCA Academy, its training arm and drives community impact through ISCA Cares, its charity arm.

For more information, visit .

Infocomm Media Development Authority

The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) leads Singapore’s digital transformation by developing a vibrant digital economy and an inclusive digital society. As Architects of Singapore’s Digital Future, we foster growth in Infocomm Technology and Media sectors in concert with progressive regulations, harnessing frontier technologies, and developing local talent and digital infrastructure ecosystems to establish Singapore as a digital metropolis.

For more news and information, visit or follow IMDA on LinkedIn (IMDAsg), Facebook (IMDAsg) and Instagram (@imdasg).