Peter (@ptrmrtn) from Slovakia started his path on eToro by utilising the CopyTrader system to replicate the actions of other traders. However, he has since honed the craft of trading and today, trades currencies and crypto on his own. His trading prowess has gained him a following and earned him Popular Investor status. We asked him a few questions about his trading habits and strategies:
Check out ptrmrtn’s stats
75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
The journey to becoming a Popular Investor
Tell us a little about yourself. What do you do for a living? For fun? Family?
I am a former senior banking manager in a major Slovak retail bank, currently primarily involved in financial markets as a trader, investor and affiliate partner. I have one wife :), two kids and two guinea pigs. I love sports and for the past 5 years, I’ve been actively playing floorball in a veteran league. In the future, I want to spend more time playing golf and windsurfing. As a family, we love mountain biking, hiking and especially playing board games.
Where do you do your research on the instruments in which you invest?
I do my research at home and on the go too. I use eToro ProCharts and follow the news on myfxbook and Bloomberg.
Did you have previous experience with financial investments before joining eToro?
Before eToro, I was just an investor with another brokerage (copying other traders). I’ve been using eToro for three years, starting as a copy trader, and now, I am trading on my own and I like it more and more. I was able to find myself in this area, where I can combine my analytical skills and my patient and calm character.
Do you have any specific profit goals for this year? How do you plan to achieve them?
My primary goal is to be a profitable currency trader, and in crypto, to beat the CryptoPortfolio. I proved to myself that my strategy works, so I want to stick with it and be consistent. With crypto, I want to utilise market volatility (buy low, sell high) and have better performance (with part of my portfolio that is dedicated to crypto), and then BTC itself.
How has eToro changed the way you trade?
With the eToro app, I am able to manage my trades on the go, which is quite convenient. Also, eToro gave me more confidence once I developed my strategy. I think for many people it is a great entry point to financial markets.
What is your type of trading strategy and on what is it focused?
I am following a few carefully selected signal providers, which give me an idea about market entry. For me, it is a good way to find great market opportunities with little effort. Then, I do my research: analysing various time frames, support/resistance levels, trends and analysing market news/outlook (fundamentals). The crucial point in this process, though it does not look that way, is the first step – selecting the signal providers. I spend a lot of time analysing the quality of signal providers and perform a deep analysis of their history.
What are the benefits of being a Popular Investor?
Obviously, the main benefit is the additional income, but being a Popular Investor also pushes you to trade more responsibly and work on yourself. The markets are changing and every trade is a new experience.
Why do you think eToro clients should copy you?
I am trading BTC and currencies, and in the future, my trading will be more in favour of currencies. There are not many profitable currency traders on eToro, so if people want to diversify, I am an option. My copiers are less exposed to stocks (or not at all), depending on their copied traders’ portfolio, so they will be more prepared when the recession appears.
eToro is a multi-asset platform which offers both investing in stocks and cryptoassets, as well as trading CFDs.
Please note that CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Cryptoassets are highly volatile unregulated investment products. No EU investor protection. Your capital is at risk.