What are the largest fortunes ever made by INDEPENDENT traders?

[gmst]

Quote from atticus:

He didn't arb anything. I arbed Oanda for six-figures in 2008, and that was with $20k limits per SSN. I also closed Trinitas Capital's retail operation via arbs in SP500 component exotics. So it can be done.

He was making outright bets on knockouts. No arb. No hedge. Obviously as he became larger the scale required laying off the risk, but that didn't occur until he was already into 8-figures.

MBA from INSEAD. Worked for GS in London under the head of prop/structured products (guy with hyphenated name, can't recall).

Thank you very much. I don't think this trader's deeds have been documented yet in any trading book. But it is definitely one of the best I have heard.

 

[atticus]

Quote from gmst:

Thank you very much. I don't think this trader's deeds have been documented yet in any trading book. But it is definitely one of the best I have heard.

I haven't talked to him in years, and I am sure he would be ticked to know I am discussing his exploits, but I've not really given anything away. Still lives in the same region in Germany where he was born and raised.

I know he had a ~$500MM fund at some point, but I think he retired from managing OPM. Very traditional family guy.

 

[kinggyppo]

Quote from atticus:

He didn't arb anything. I arbed Oanda for six-figures in 2008, and that was with $20k limits per SSN. I also closed Trinitas Capital's retail operation via arbs in SP500 component exotics. So it can be done.

He was making outright bets on knockouts. No arb. No hedge. Obviously as he became larger the scale required laying off the risk, but that didn't occur until he was already into 8-figures.

MBA from INSEAD. Worked for GS in London under the head of prop/structured products (guy with hyphenated name, can't recall).

did Oanda issue you a 1099 for that LOL!

 

[atticus]

Quote from kinggyppo:

did Oanda issue you a 1099 for that LOL!

I got a 1099 for swap proceeds.

 

[Martinghoul]

Quote from atticus:
MBA from INSEAD. Worked for GS in London under the head of prop/structured products (guy with hyphenated name, can't recall).

Not Siva-Jothy, perchance?

 

[kinggyppo]

Quote from gmst:

Thank you very much. I don't think this trader's deeds have been documented yet in any trading book. But it is definitely one of the best I have heard.

http://fxtrade.oanda.com/trade-forex/fxtrade/box-options

you may find the link interesting, some people (not myself) are really good at pricing this sh&*.

 

[atticus]

Quote from Martinghoul:

Not Siva-Jothy, perchance?

No, jewish name. Also from INSEAD. The German worked for the guy with the hyphenated name. Hyphen guy left GS after making $80MM one year (more than Blankfein earned).

 

[gmst]

Quote from kinggyppo:

http://fxtrade.oanda.com/trade-forex/fxtrade/box-options

you may find the link interesting, some people (not myself) are really good at pricing this sh&*.

Actually, I briefly looked at this few months ago, as a way to increase leverage on one of my set-ups, but decided to keep my operation simple as of now. Will surely take a re-look sometime in future.

 

[mcdull]

Quote from noob_trad3r:

Anyone know the name of the Japanese guy that turned 800 dollars into 150 million?

Takashi Kotegawa (aka BNF)

 

[Ghost of Cutten]

Quote from atticus:

Equity and FX vol in OTC exotic options.

Out of interest, is it straightforward to trade OTC exotics with a small account?