Based on my careful review of the available details about E*TRADE, I couldn't find any specific, transparent information about the broker’s forex spread structure—fixed or variable—or how their spreads behave during times of significant market volatility or key news releases. In fact, E*TRADE primarily focuses on equities, ETFs, options, mutual funds, bonds, and futures rather than traditional forex trading. This means that typical concerns about forex spread manipulation, widening, or transparency are less directly relevant, simply because spot forex pairs don’t appear to be actively offered. From my years of trading, I’ve seen that regulated brokers generally disclose whether their spreads are fixed or variable and provide clear disclosures on potential widening during volatile periods. Unfortunately, with E*TRADE’s apparent lack of active regulation and no clear communication regarding spreads, this is a red flag for me. When a broker doesn’t clearly outline these fundamental trading conditions, especially concerning how costs might change in fast-moving markets, I consider that a serious risk for anyone seeking to manage trading expenses or slippage effectively. In summary, for traders interested in forex and seeking transparency in spread conditions, I advise extreme caution with E*TRADE until clarity and proper regulatory oversight are present. For my own trading, I would not proceed without these core details confirmed.