Analysis of an investment social network

Much research has been done in the last several years on social network dynamics as online social networks have become ubiquitous. While networks like Facebook and LinkedIn have given the research world access to data on large-scale, general human social interaction in an online environment, there are a growing number of smaller-scale social networks aimed toward certain niche user groups which can provide a richer context for the study of social network dynamics. One such network is Currensee, an emerging social network for foreign currency exchange (Forex) traders. Since all of the trades represented on the Currensee network are the actual trades being made by users, it can serve as a good model for the study of financial activity by individuals in the context of a social network. We present in this paper an analysis of this network in terms of its connectivity, social activity, and trading activity.