Discover the fascinating world of investing with Niels Kaastrup-Larsen and his remarkable co-hosts. Each week, we bring you compelling conversations with legendary investors, leading economists, masterful traders, and forward-thinking thought leaders. From Trend Following and Global Macro to Geo-Politics, Commodities, Quant Investing, Crypto, and Volatility, we uncover the strategies, stories, and lessons behind their success. Gain actionable insights from industry veterans as we celebrate t ...
…
continue reading
Top Traders Unplugged is a show that will keep you in the know about how the world's top investors are navigating todays' markets and where they think the economy is heading. Niels Kaastrup-Larsen brings these engaging and often surprising conversations to you each week, so you don't miss out when we explore their latest successes or failures, best ideas as well as other valuable insights—learn like never before by tuning into Top Traders Unplugged each week!
…
continue reading

1
GM82: The Surprising Success of the U.S. Economy ft. Elroy Dimson & Kiran Ganesh
1:03:23
1:03:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:03:23America's recent economic performance has been a surprise, as it's managed to outperform many other markets over the last quarter century. We review the insights from the Global Investment Returns Yearbook, discussing how the US has thrived and what that means for future investment strategies. Our guests, Elroy Dimson and Kiran Ganesh, share their …
…
continue reading

1
SI348: The Quiet Cost of Overfitting ft. Andrew Beer
1:15:10
1:15:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:15:10Andrew Beer returns to confront a moment of reckoning for trend following. As managed futures suffer one of their worst periods in decades, he and Niels explore a deeper question: has the strategy evolved in ways that undermine its edge? From the seduction of short-term models to the unintended consequences of complexity, this conversation traces h…
…
continue reading

1
UGO02: Inequality, Inflation, and the End of Consensus ft. Jim Bianco
1:03:46
1:03:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:03:46What if the volatility we’re seeing is not a pause in the cycle, but the start of something lasting? In this episode, Cem Karsan sits down with Jim Bianco to unpack the forces reshaping the market and the political landscape around it. From the roots of labor unrest in 1880s Chicago to rising tariffs and inflation today, they trace how decades of p…
…
continue reading

1
SI347: Stagflation, Storytelling, and the Search for a New Hero ft. Cem Karsan
1:07:31
1:07:31
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:07:31Today Cem and Niels dissect a world quietly shifting beneath our feet. As markets hum along, Cem explains why the real story lies beneath the surface: a structural liquidity drain, a creeping stagflation that defies familiar playbooks, and a political regime shift few are pricing in. From Buffett’s exit to dollar fragility, elite endowments tapping…
…
continue reading

1
GM81: What If Everything You Believe About Markets Is Wrong? ft. Demetri Kofinas
1:03:17
1:03:17
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:03:17What if the biggest risk in markets today isn’t volatility, inflation, or geopolitics - but the stories we believe to be true? In this unfiltered and thought-provoking episode, Demetri Kofinas joins Cem Karsan and Niels Kaastrup-Larsen for a piercing conversation that challenges how we process information, construct narratives, and make decisions i…
…
continue reading

1
SI346: Is the Trend Still Your Friend ft. Rob Carver
1:09:11
1:09:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:09:11This episode is all about understanding the nuances of trend-following and how current market dynamics are shaking things up. Together with Rob Carver, we discuss the turbulence that hit financial markets in April and how that affected Trend Followers, as well as how Rob navigated the last 12 months as a trend follower. Plus, we explore the intrigu…
…
continue reading

1
IL38: Our Dollar, Your Problem ft. Kenneth Rogoff
1:11:13
1:11:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:11:13What if the most dangerous thing in the global economy isn’t a shock — but the quiet collapse of the frameworks we still rely on? In this rare, unfiltered conversation, Kenneth Rogoff — Harvard professor and former IMF Chief Economist — joins Kevin Coldiron to confront the reality that’s too uncomfortable for most policymakers to admit: The world h…
…
continue reading

1
SI345: From Chaos to Clarity: The Power of Systematic Investing ft. Nick Baltas
1:08:00
1:08:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:08:00This episode is all about exploring the intricacies of market behavior, how trends shift, and what that means for our investment strategies. We’re having a serious chat about the impact of recent market fluctuations and how they influence our approaches to trend following. Together with Nick Baltas, we’ll touch on the dynamics of crowding in trades…
…
continue reading

1
OI15: Navigating the Commodity Markets with Calculo Capital ft. Ole Hansen & Philip Carlsson
42:50
42:50
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:50Today, we're diving deep into the world of commodities with Calculo Capital, a short-term quantitative hedge fund based in Denmark. Our guests, Philip Engel Carlsson and Ole Hansen, share their insights on how they navigate the fast-paced commodity markets using machine learning techniques. We explore how their focus on liquid markets and short hol…
…
continue reading

1
SI344: Trend Following during Trump Tariff Turmoil ft. Katy Kaminski
1:10:49
1:10:49
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:10:49In this episode, we explore the current market dynamics and discuss Katy Kaminski's latest research paper on crisis and correction alpha, which provides insights into how CTA strategies are navigating turbulent times. We also touch on the importance of understanding how trends shift and the implications for various asset classes. From examining the…
…
continue reading

1
IL37: Hate the Game? How to Navigate Life's Economic Challenges ft. Daryl Fairweather
52:30
52:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:30Discover how to navigate the complexities of personal and professional decisions through the lens of behavioral economics. Kevin Coldiron speaks with Daryl Fairweather, Chief Economist at Redfin and author of the book "Hate the Game," who shares insights on using economic principles to tackle everyday challenges, from negotiating salaries to unders…
…
continue reading

1
SI343: CTAs: The Unexpected Heroes of Market Crises ft. Yoav Git
1:11:23
1:11:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:11:23Together with Yoav Git, we’ll explore how market conditions are shifting and what that means for investors, especially in light of recent bond market movements. It’s been a wild ride lately, with unexpected changes in correlations between stocks and bonds, and we’re here to break it all down. We’ll also touch on the implications for trend-following…
…
continue reading

1
TTU149: Risk, Return, Repeat: The Portable Alpha Revival ft. Razvan Remsing & Alan Dunne
1:09:44
1:09:44
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:09:44Today, we’re diving into the world of portable alpha and how it can really shake up your investment game. Alan Dunne and I are chatting with Razvan Remsing from Aspect Capital, who shares that this concept isn’t new but is gaining traction again as allocators look for ways to make their portfolios work harder. With everything going on in the market…
…
continue reading

1
SI342: From Trend Following to Super Determinism ft. Richard Brennan
1:15:23
1:15:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:15:23Together with Richard Brennan, we’ll explore how current market uncertainties are shaping investor sentiment and prompting a massive shift in how we think about financial systems. As we navigate through some heavy topics, we also touch on the importance of maintaining a disciplined approach in a world where noise can easily drown out the signals. E…
…
continue reading

1
UGO01: Reflexive Markets, Real-Time Risk: The Dawn of the 0DTE Era ft. Mike Green
1:04:11
1:04:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:04:11In the premiere of U Got Options, Cem Karsan is joined by Mike Green for an unfiltered, high-conviction conversation straight from the floor of the CBOE. Together, they dive deep into the explosive growth of 0DTE options - now driving over 60% of S&P volume - and unpack how this shift is quietly rewiring market reflexivity, volatility dynamics, and…
…
continue reading

1
SI341: Nothing Good Happens Below the 200-Day Moving Average ft. Mark Rzepczynski
1:01:27
1:01:27
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:01:27Alan Dunne and Mark Rzepczynski tackle the current market vibes, focusing on how factors like the 200-day moving average can shift market sentiment and affect portfolio strategies. As they navigate through the choppy waters of market performance, they discuss the importance of understanding uncertainty versus risk and how it impacts decision-making…
…
continue reading

1
IL36: Democracy, Money, and the Central Bank - A Risky Balance ft. Leah Rose Downey
59:20
59:20
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
59:20Our guest on this episode is Leah Downey, Junior Research Fellow at St. John’s College Cambridge and author of the new book Our Money: Monetary Policy as If Democracy Matters. Independent central banks are thought to be necessary to prevent politicians using monetary policy to influence elections and to avoid dangerously high levels of inflation. I…
…
continue reading

1
SI340: ETFs, Size, and the Commodity Problem ft. Alan Dunne
1:05:24
1:05:24
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:05:24In today’s episode, Alan Dunne and I take a step back - and a step forward - by exploring 125 years of hard-earned market wisdom, courtesy of the Global Investment Returns Yearbook, the definitive source of long-term asset class performance. What does this rich dataset tell us about equities, bonds, diversification, and the underrated role of patie…
…
continue reading

1
TTU148: CTAs - The Good, The Bad, and The Misunderstood ft. Rob Carver, Graham Robertson and Yoav Git
1:09:36
1:09:36
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:09:36Today, we’re diving deep into the world of CTAs and their role in investment portfolios. We discuss the balance between focusing on a single asset class versus a multi-asset approach, emphasizing that different asset classes offer unique utilities to investors. Our guests share insights from their experiences, highlighting the importance of tailore…
…
continue reading

1
SI339: CTAs vs ETFs: The Showdown That Could Change Everything ft. Andrew Beer and Tom Wrobel
1:19:30
1:19:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:19:30Andrew Beer and Tom Wrobel joins us to talk about the current state of global markets and the pivotal changes affecting our industry. We’re all feeling the shift in dynamics, and we’re here to unpack how that impacts our investing approaches. From the rise of new ETFs to the ongoing debate about the future of managed futures, we’ll cover it all. So…
…
continue reading

1
ALO29: What Every Investor Should Know About Valuations ft. David Giroux
1:01:17
1:01:17
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:01:17Leveraged loans combined with treasuries create a solid strategy for navigating today’s fixed income market. These two asset classes work like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, balancing each other out—leveraged loans shine when interest rates rise, while treasuries thrive when rates drop. In our chat today with David Giroux, portfolio manager at…
…
continue reading

1
SI338: Politics, Markets & Power Plays: An Unfiltered Look ft. Cem Karsan
1:08:47
1:08:47
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:08:47Together with Cem Karsan, we take a serious look at how the shifting political landscape and economic pressures are impacting global markets. We discuss the implications of a potential (engineered) recession and what it means for various asset classes, especially in relation to current U.S. policies. With the conversation turning to Europe, we anal…
…
continue reading

1
GM80: Doomsday Clock Ticks: Are We Close to a Monetary Shift? ft. Adam Rozencwajg
1:19:35
1:19:35
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:19:35Today Cem Karsan and I are diving into a pretty intense topic today: the looming potential for a monetary regime change that feels like it's right around the corner. We're talking to Adam Rozencwajg about how the shifts in global commodity dynamics, particularly in natural resources like oil and gas, are becoming a lot clearer as supply constraints…
…
continue reading

1
SI337: How Best to "Replicate" Managed Futures Returns ft. Katy Kaminski
1:03:28
1:03:28
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:03:28In this episode, Katy Kaminski helps us explore the latest trends in managed futures and how different approaches to replication can impact performance and correlation. We explore the pros and cons of index versus mechanical replication, highlighting how each method reacts differently in various market conditions. Plus, we touch on the most recent …
…
continue reading

1
IL35: The New Age of Economic Warfare: Are We Ready? ft. Edward Fishman
1:01:05
1:01:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:01:05Our guest on this episode is Edward Fishman, a world expert on the modern art of economic warfare. Edward is author of the new book Chokepoints: American Power In The Age of Economic Warfare. He currently teaches at Columbia University and prior to that advised the US Secretary of State, Joints Chiefs of Staff and Treasury Department on the deploym…
…
continue reading

1
SI336: How to Invest in Turbulent Times? ft. Graham Robertson
1:03:01
1:03:01
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:03:01With global market dynamics shifting rapidly and geopolitical noise reaching new heights, how can investors adapt and thrive? In this episode, we explore why an adaptive approach is crucial for navigating today’s turbulent financial landscape. Our conversation delves into the challenges investors face when competing against dominant market players …
…
continue reading

1
OI14: Behind the Scenes of a Crypto Hedge Fund ft. Michael Hall & Anatoly Crachlilov
1:07:10
1:07:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:07:10In this episode, Moritz Seibert speaks with Anatoly Crachilov and Michaell Hall from Nickel Digital, a prominent London-based crypto hedge fund. Anatoly (CEO) and Michael (CIO) founded the company in 2019 with an initial focus on in-house arbitrage and basis trading strategies. Over the years, their business model has evolved and adapted to the fas…
…
continue reading

1
SI335: Trend Following or Mean Reversion: What Works Best When? ft. Rob Carver
1:24:38
1:24:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:24:38Join us for a fascinating and in-depth conversation with Rob Carver, where we’ll discuss the current state of gold, the impact of rising borrowing costs on futures pricing, and how these elements intertwine with market trends. Along the way, we’ll tackle listener questions that challenge the status quo, digging into everything from fees in the hedg…
…
continue reading

1
ALO28: Why Hedge Funds Still Matter ft. Alexander de Bruin
1:00:06
1:00:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:00:06In this episode, Alexander de Bruin, Head of Fund Research at Edmond de Rothschild, joins Alan Dunne to discuss the art and science of selecting managers and building portfolios of alternatives. Alexander shares insights from his background in convertible bond trading and how it has shaped his approach to allocating capital. The conversation explor…
…
continue reading

1
SI334: Why Quants Might Be Your Best Bet ft. Nick Baltas
58:29
58:29
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
58:29Together with Nick Baltas, we're diving deep into systematic investing to discuss why strategies like trend following is a hidden gem in the current (crazy) economic and geo-political landscape. We touch on recent trends, the implications of AI in investing, and how these dynamics can impact our portfolios. We also discuss the costs of rebalancing …
…
continue reading

1
ALO27: Unlocking Wealth: Insights from UBS's CIO Mark Haefele
1:02:39
1:02:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:02:39Mark Haefele, CIO of Global Wealth Management at UBS, shares valuable insights on the evolving landscape of investing amidst unprecedented government intervention in the economy. He emphasizes that understanding the role of government spending and its impact on market dynamics is crucial for today's investors. The conversation explores the distinct…
…
continue reading

1
SI333: Convexity - The Trend Following Game Changer! ft. Richard Brennan
1:12:55
1:12:55
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:12:55Most investors focus on returns, but what about the shape of those returns? Today, Rich and I explore the often overlooked concept of convexity - a game-changing principle in trend following that helps us thrive in unpredictable markets. Inspired by insights from our recent guest, Dave Dredge, we break down why mastering convexity is key to cutting…
…
continue reading

1
GM79: How Global Economic Dynamics Shape Our Future ft. Matthew Klein
1:01:59
1:01:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:01:59Today, we explore the intricate dynamics of global trade and economics, highlighting the central thesis of Matt Klein's book, "Trade Wars or Class Wars." Klein argues that the common perception of trade as a zero-sum game is fundamentally flawed; instead, he emphasizes that positive-sum solutions exist, benefiting all parties involved. The conversa…
…
continue reading

1
SI332: Market Turbulence: How to Adapt to Regime Changes in Investing ft. Alan Dunne & Mark Rzepczynski
1:05:15
1:05:15
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:05:15Today, we explore the complexities of current market dynamics, emphasizing the heightened levels of uncertainty stemming from recent regime changes. Mark Rzepczynski shares insights on how this uncertainty can influence investment behavior and market trends, highlighting the importance for investors to adapt their strategies in response to these sh…
…
continue reading

1
GM 78: The Market Risk Nobody’s Watching ft. Dave Dredge & Cem Karsan
1:31:35
1:31:35
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:31:35Today, we take you into the complexities of the current financial landscape, emphasizing the crucial theme of positioning in an environment marked by rising interest rates and shifting market dynamics. We explore how recent structured product issuance is significantly impacting market structure, particularly in the U.S., where the volume of callabl…
…
continue reading

1
SI331: Crafting the Perfect Investment Portfolio in 2025 ft. Alan Dunne
1:05:39
1:05:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:05:39Today, we dive deep into the evolving landscape of investment strategies, emphasizing the critical need for diversification in portfolios. With a particular focus on the German economy's challenges, we highlight how geopolitical factors and shifting market dynamics are reshaping investment approaches. We explore the potential implications of rising…
…
continue reading

1
OI13: The Art of Continuous Trading: Mastering Market Dynamics ft. Bill Gebhardt
48:04
48:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
48:04Bill Gebhardt from 10Dynamics discusses the intriguing intersection of market efficiency and systematic trading strategies. He emphasizes the idea that while traditional views suggest markets are efficient, many hedge funds continue to find success using price-based strategies that should theoretically not work. This paradox leads to a fascinating …
…
continue reading

1
SI330: Yield Storm Ahead: Preparing for a New Era ft. Cem Karsan
1:01:24
1:01:24
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:01:24Together with Cem Karsan we take the pulse of the evolving landscape investors are faced with amidst rising interest rates and market volatility. A key takeaway is the recognition of structural changes in bond markets, with the potential for significantly higher yields impacting investment strategies. We explore the implications of current geopolit…
…
continue reading

1
TTU147: How to Craft a Rich Life Beyond Money ft. William Green
1:44:56
1:44:56
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:44:56William Green, author of the book "Richer, Wiser, Happier", returns to the podcast for an eye opening conversation centered around the complexities of investing and the importance of building a rich life beyond mere financial success. We explore the idea that true wealth encompasses autonomy, meaningful relationships, and personal growth, rather th…
…
continue reading

1
SI329: CTAs: Innovation Meets Legacy & the BlackRock Effect ft. Andrew Beer & Tom Wrobel
1:28:14
1:28:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:28:14Together with Andrew Beer and Tom Wrobel, we dive deep into the evolving landscape of managed futures and CTAs, highlighting the critical need for a narrative shift to better communicate their value to investors. Andrew and Tom discuss the challenges faced by allocators in understanding the unique benefits of trend-following strategies, especially …
…
continue reading

1
IL34: Democratizing Data: A New Approach for Trustworthy Information ft. Julia Lane
42:54
42:54
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:54Our guest on this episode is Dr. Julia Lane, Professor at New York University and author of the book Democratizing Our Data: A Manifesto. Dr. Lane is a member of the National AI Research Resource Task Force and has advised the White House on promoting the use of Federal data for evidence building. She believes that the US system collecting data is …
…
continue reading

1
SI328: Year-End Roundtable: The Future of Trend Following and Market Dynamics (Part 2)
1:06:48
1:06:48
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:06:48Join us for Part 2 of our Year-End discussion between all of the hosts on the Systematic Investor Series where we debate the trends and themes shaping the investment landscape heading into 2025. The episode highlights the significance of social media and podcasts in increasing awareness of systematic investment strategies, as well as the challenges…
…
continue reading

1
OI12: Breaking Rules: Going Beyond Traditional Trend Following ft. Tillmann Sachs & Vishal Sharma
51:29
51:29
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
51:29In this episode, Moritz Seibert speaks with Tillmann Sachs and Vishal Sharma from J8 Capital Management, a systematic London-based CTA. The main focus of their discussion is J8’s Global Absolute Return Strategy, which trades several different systems across markets and styles, including carry, arbitrage, and trend following. We also speak about the…
…
continue reading

1
SI327: 2024's Biggest Investment & Trend Following Insights (Part 1)
58:46
58:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
58:46This part 1 of 2 episode features a compelling roundtable discussion among all of our incredible co-hosts here at TopTradersUnplugged, where we reflect on the key takeaways of 2024. The main focus is on the significant return dispersion observed in the trend-following community throughout 2024, where performance varied dramatically among managers. …
…
continue reading

1
GM77: Unlocking the Roaring 2020s: Is Bitcoin the New Gold? ft. Ed Yardeni
59:04
59:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
59:04Ed Yardeni, President of Yardeni Research, joins Alan Dunne in this episode to review his Roaring 2020s thesis for the US economy. Ed makes a compelling case for sustained economic growth, driven by rising productivity gains fuelled by technological advancements. The discussion covers expectations for the policy mix under the incoming Trump adminis…
…
continue reading

1
SI326: Volatility and Trends: What 2024 Held for Trend Followers ft. Katy Kaminski
1:00:20
1:00:20
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:00:20Today, we examine the intriguing dynamics of systematic investing, focusing on the theme of volatility sizing and its implications for trend following strategies. We discuss how volatility often expands during profitable trades, highlighting the importance of managing risk through dynamic sizing compared to static approaches. We explore the interpl…
…
continue reading

1
GM76: Are We Being Deceived by Economic Data? ft. Paul Donovan
1:04:55
1:04:55
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:04:55Alan Dunne welcomes Paul Donovan, Chief Economist of UBS Global Wealth Management, to this episode for a thought-provoking discussion on the global economic outlook. Together, they explore the structural challenges facing Europe and whether the current wave of pessimism is overstated. Paul highlights how data mismeasurement contributes to the gap b…
…
continue reading

1
SI325: Why Adaptive Strategies Matter Now More Than Ever ft. Graham Robertson
1:02:14
1:02:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:02:14Today, together with Graham Robertson of MAN AHL, we delve into the intriguing dynamics of trend following and its relationship with current market conditions, particularly influenced by central bank actions. We examine how trend followers have navigated recent volatility and the challenges posed by fluctuating interest rate expectations. We highli…
…
continue reading

1
IL33: The Soul of Wealth: Behavioral Secrets to a Purposeful Life ft. Daniel Crosby
55:22
55:22
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
55:22Our guest on this episode is Dr. Daniel Crosby, New York Times bestselling author and Chief Behavioral Officer at Orion Advisor Solutions. Daniel joins us to discuss his new book - The Soul of Wealth: 50 Reflections on Money and Meaning. We discuss simple actions everyone can take to apply the lessons of behavioral finance to their own investing - …
…
continue reading

1
SI324: Embracing Uncertainty using Adaptive Models ft. Richard Brennan
1:09:14
1:09:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:09:14Today, we dive deep into the complex dynamics of global markets and the often overlooked risks that can accumulate during periods of apparent stability. Together with Richard Brennan, we discuss the rising concerns over declining fertility rates worldwide, highlighting how economic pressures, environmental challenges, and cultural shifts contribute…
…
continue reading