WT - Tick Imbalance Bars is an indicator for cTrader that applies institutional-grade market microstructure analysis based on the research of Marcos López de Prado. Unlike traditional bars that sample price data by time or volume, this indicator samples based on information arrival, detecting buying or selling pressure imbalances that signal informed trading activity before price equilibrium is reached.
The indicator classifies each trade as buying (+1) or selling (-1) pressure using the tick rule and accumulates these signed ticks until a dynamic threshold—calculated via an Exponentially Weighted Moving Average (EWMA)—is exceeded. When this threshold is breached, a new Tick Imbalance Bar (TIB) is formed, each containing roughly equal market information regardless of elapsed time or volume.
Key features include real-time visualization of cumulative imbalance versus dynamic thresholds, candle coloring by TIB membership, live display of the developing bar, a minimum ticks filter for statistical significance, configurable expected bar size and EWMA parameters, and dashboard metrics tracking imbalance intensity and information density.
This approach enables more frequent sampling during high-information periods, reduces noise from uninformed trades, and provides better statistical properties than time-based sampling. It supports markets including Forex, indices, and cryptocurrencies, and is suitable for strategies such as scalping and breakout trading.