How Francisco Used Algorithmic Trading to Reach a $1 Million Axi Select Account
From Manual Trader to Managing $1 Million
Francisco's trading journey began six years ago, with the first four spent trading manually before making a complete transition to algorithmic trading. That decision transformed his results. After joining the Axi Select program in 2024, it took him roughly a year to earn Pro M status and gain access to $1 million in funded capital. He credits much of that success to removing emotional decision-making from his trading and allowing data-driven systems to execute trades based on predefined rules rather than instinct.
Why Removing Emotion Improved His Trading
One of Francisco's biggest advantages comes from separating himself from the decision-making process. Unlike discretionary traders who constantly debate whether to enter or exit a position, his algorithms make those decisions automatically. He explains that algorithmic trading requires extensive research before a strategy is deployed, but once it goes live, the system follows its rules without fear, greed, or hesitation. For Francisco, eliminating emotional bias has made trading far easier psychologically and allowed him to stay disciplined through winning and losing periods alike.
Building Hundreds of Trading Systems
Although Francisco actively trades only a handful of algorithms on his Axi Select account, he has developed roughly 800 trading systems in total. Rather than coding every strategy manually, he uses strategy-building software to generate ideas before testing them extensively. Every system must prove itself through historical testing before risking capital. His development process focuses on creating repeatable strategies supported by data instead of searching for a perfect setup that never loses.
The Numbers He Looks for Before Trading Live
Before any algorithm reaches a live account, Francisco subjects it to rigorous testing. He typically analyzes around ten years of historical market data and looks for systems with win rates between 40% and 60%. While many traders chase strategies with extremely high accuracy, he believes a moderate win rate combined with strong risk management creates a much more realistic and sustainable edge. His focus is not on winning every trade but on building systems that remain profitable across changing market conditions.
Why Simplicity and Discipline Still Matter
Even though Francisco relies on automation, risk management remains central to every trade. His systems use predefined stop losses and profit targets based on either ATR calculations or fixed pip distances depending on the strategy. During the interview he demonstrates live positions in gold and the DAX, explaining that some systems focus on breakouts while others are designed to capture longer-term trends. The technology may automate execution, but success still depends on careful research, disciplined testing, and trusting the process.
Trading Strategy/ Mindset
Francisco's Algorithmic Trading Strategy with Axi Select
Francisco's trading philosophy centers on removing as much human emotion as possible. After spending four years as a discretionary trader, he transitioned entirely to algorithmic trading because he believed computers could execute proven rules more consistently than people.
His process begins with strategy development rather than chart watching. Using strategy-building software, he creates hundreds of trading ideas before filtering them through extensive backtesting. Each system is evaluated using roughly ten years of historical market data, and only strategies producing a realistic win rate between 40% and 60% are considered viable. Rather than chasing unusually high accuracy, Francisco focuses on systems that demonstrate long-term consistency across different market environments.
Once a strategy passes testing, risk management is built directly into the algorithm. Every trade includes predefined exits using either ATR-based calculations or fixed pip distances, ensuring the system follows the same process every time. While his Axi Select account currently runs around eight active algorithms, he has developed approximately 800 systems over the years.
For Francisco, the biggest advantage of algorithmic trading isn't speed. It's consistency. By allowing the system to make trading decisions, he avoids emotional mistakes while focusing his energy on improving the research behind the next generation of strategies.