Two charts can differ without proving manipulation. First align the data. This protocol is not a finding about a named platform or trade.
Check the provider, venue or documented internal source. Different liquidity sources and tick filters can produce different values.
Match the exact instrument identifier and quote mode. EUR/USD and EUR/USD OTC are not automatically the same price series.
Identify bid, ask, mid or last trade. Compare like with like and record spread, decimals, tick size, opening quote and closing quote.
Capture timestamp, platform server clock and timezone, then convert both sides to UTC. Clock drift can move a tick into another candle.
Match the candle interval and construction. Standard OHLC, Heikin Ashi, tick inclusion and session boundaries can change candle shape.
Record the market session: regular, pre-market, after-hours, holiday or weekend. A closed source may have no current comparison tick.
Document external-source or internal algorithmic OTC context. A distinct internal feed is not expected to match an external chart tick for tick.
Classify the result as matched, explainable mismatch or unresolved. Never turn missing metadata into certainty.
Preserve screen recording, metadata, IDs, quotes, server response and contract clause. If alignment fails, mark SKIP or unresolved.