Trading Strategy: ICT Venom Model
Are you searching for a high-probability intraday trading strategy for US indices? Meet the ICT Venom Model — the latest smart money concept introduced by Michael Huddleston (ICT) in April 2025.
Designed specifically for US stock index futures like the US100 (NASDAQ 100), US30 (Dow Jones), and US500 (S&P 500), this strategy is tailored for traders who want to capitalize on liquidity-based price reversals during the New York session open.
What is the ICT Venom Trading Model?
The ICT Venom Model is an intraday trading strategy that leverages liquidity sweeps, Fair Value Gaps (FVGs), and Market Structure Shifts (MSS) to identify precise trade entries.
Key Features of the ICT Venom Model:
- Built for US index futures (not Forex)
- Operates in the New York trading session
- Uses smart money concepts to trap retail traders
- Focuses on the 08:00 AM – 09:30 AM (NYT) window
- Ideal for scalping or short-term trading with targets of 50–80 ticks per day
⚠️ Note: This model is not suitable for Forex or crypto markets. It's specifically optimized for U.S. stock indices during intraday sessions.
Best Time to Use the ICT Venom Model
The model is highly time-sensitive and is structured around the first 90 minutes of trading activity in the U.S. markets.
- Pre-market session: 08:00 AM – 09:30 AM (New York Time)
- Regular market open: 09:30 AM NYT
This 90-minute window forms the Initial Balance Range, which often gets targeted for liquidity sweeps at or after the market open.
Why Is It Called the "Venom" Model?
The name “Venom” is inspired by the strategy’s behavior:
- Price lures retail traders by triggering key levels (highs or lows)
- These levels are often stop-loss zones or breakout traps
- Once liquidity is taken, price reverses violently, much like a venomous snake’s strike
This model provides traders with a structured framework to enter trades after retail traders are caught offside.
ICT Venom Trading Model Types
The model comes in two variations depending on the daily directional bias:
Bullish ICT Venom Trading Strategy (Buy Setup)
Used on bullish bias days to go long after a liquidity grab below support.
Step-by-Step Bullish Setup:
Identify the Initial Range:
- Mark the high and low from 08:00 AM to 09:30 AM NYT
Wait for Liquidity Sweep:
- After 09:30 AM, look for price to dip below the low of this range
Watch for Fair Value Gap (FVG):
- Look for imbalance as price sweeps the low
Anticipate Reversal:
- Confirm with MSS (Market Structure Shift) or CISD (Change in State of Delivery)
Enter Trade:
- Long on retracement to PD Array (e.g., order block or FVG zone)
- Stop Loss: 10–20 ticks below the sweep low
- Take Profit: High of initial range → previous day's high → equal highs
Bearish ICT Venom Trading Strategy (Sell Setup)
Used on bearish bias days to short after a liquidity grab above resistance.
Step-by-Step Bearish Setup:
Identify the Initial Range:
- Mark the high and low from 08:00 AM to 09:30 AM NYT
Wait for Liquidity Sweep:
- After 09:30 AM, watch for price to sweep above the high
Identify FVG:
- Look for inefficiency created during the sweep
Confirm Reversal:
- Validate with MSS or CISD
Enter Trade:
- Short on retracement to a bearish PD Array
- Stop Loss: 10–20 ticks above the sweep high
- Take Profit: Low of initial range → previous day’s low → equal lows
Final Thoughts
The ICT Venom Model (2025) is one of the most refined liquidity-based strategies available for intraday futures traders. If you're serious about catching institutional reversals, trading with precision, and growing as a smart money trader — this model offers the clarity, structure, and edge you need.