Podcast
Top Traders Unplugged
Hosted by Niels Kaastrup-Larsen · EN
Top Traders Unplugged is where the world’s best investors come to share how they think - not just what they trade.
Hosted by Niels Kaastrup-Larsen, the show goes deep into systematic trend following, global macro, and the principles that drive long-term success.
No forecasts. No fads. Just real conversations with hedge fund managers, economists, authors, and allocators - revealing the timeless ideas, mental models, and risk frameworks behind robust performance.
If you're building resilient portfolios, allocating capital, or simply looking to cut through the noise - this is your edge.
Clear thinking. Deep insights. Real experience.
🎧 New episodes weekly. Explore all episodes at toptradersunplugged.com https://toptradersunplugged.com
932episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
GM101: When Passive Breaks the Market ft. Hari Krishnan & Cem Karsan
Yesterday01:13:52Summary readyHari Krishnan joins Niels and Cem for a deep exploration of what happens when markets become dominated by flows rather than fundamentals. Drawing on his new paper with Mike Green and Stefan Sturm, Hari explains why rising passive ownership may weaken price discovery, amplify concentration in mega-cap stocks and create conditions for reflexive instability. The conversation expands far beyond indexing, touching on volatility targeting, leverage, dispersion, inflation, government intervention and the growing dependence of the global economy on rising asset prices. Along the way, Cem and Hari debate whether policymakers can continue stabilizing an increasingly fragile system, what could trigger a structural break, and how investors should think about positioning in a world where flows may matter more than fundamentals.-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HERE-----Follow Niels on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube or via the TTU website.IT’s TRUE ? – most CIO’s read 50+ books each year – get your FREE copy of the Ultimate Guide to the Best Investment Books ever written here.And you can get a free copy of my latest book “Ten Reasons to Add Trend Following to Your Portfolio” here.Learn more about the Trend Barometer here.Send your questions to info@toptradersunplugged.comAnd please share this episode with a like-minded friend and leave an honest Rating & Review on iTunes or Spotify so more people can discover the podcast.Follow Cem on Twitter.Follow Hari on LinkedIn.Episode TimeStamps: 00:00 - Hari warns about a fragile financial system dependent on a handful of decision-makers01:06 - Niels introduces Hari’s new paper with Mike Green and Stefan Sturm03:00 - Why passive investing may weaken the link between fundamentals and prices08:40 - The key assumptions behind the model12:49 - How passive adoption accelerated structural market changes15:11 - Cem explains why markets may now drive the economy rather than reflect it23:38 - Can policymakers control a complex financial system?27:03 - How passive flows amplify mega-cap concentration31:22 - The changing role of dispersion, volatility and positioning41:04 - What the model suggests about instability at high passive ownership levels46:21 - Why 2022 may have been a warning sign51:55 - Inflation, government intervention and the limits of market control55:33 - What could trigger a systemic break?01:07:28 - Political and demographic pressures beneath the system01:10:43 - Hari’s portfolio implications: stay long, hedge smartly and own inflation sensitivityCopyright © 2025 – CMC AG – All Rights Reserved----PLUS: Whenever you're ready... here are 3 ways I can help you in your investment Journey:1. eBooks that cover key topics that you need to know about In my eBooks, I put together some key discoveries and things I have learnt during the more than 3 decades I have worked in the Trend Following industry, which I hope you will find useful. Click Here2. Daily Trend Barometer and Market Score One of the things I’m really proud of, is the fact that I have managed to published the Trend Barometer and Market Score each day for more than a decade...as these tools are really good at describing the environment for trend following managers as well as giving insights into the general positioning of a trend following strategy! Click Here3. Other Resources that can help youAnd if you are hungry for more useful resources from the trend following world...check out some precious resources that I have found over the years to be really valuable. Click HerePrivacy PolicyDisclaimer
Summary
SI400: When Crisis Alpha Hides in Plain Sight ft. Yoav Git & Rob Croce
5d ago01:07:04Summary readyThis week, we are joined by Yoav Git and Rob Croce from Fidelity Investments for a deep dive into trend following, portfolio construction and execution in modern markets. The conversation explores why crisis alpha may come more from beta timing than market selection, the logic behind betting against beta, and how quantitative investors think about diversification, carry and relative value strategies. Along the way, the trio discuss Japan’s rising bond yields, momentum investing, execution risk during crises and even how ChatGPT helped solve a 60-year-old mathematical problem. This is a technical but highly practical discussion about how systematic investors build robust portfolios in a changing macro environment.-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HERE-----Follow Niels on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube or via the TTU website.IT’s TRUE ? – most CIO’s read 50+ books each year – get your FREE copy of the Ultimate Guide to the Best Investment Books ever written here.And you can get a free copy of my latest book “Ten Reasons to Add Trend Following to Your Portfolio” here.Learn more about the Trend Barometer here.Send your questions to info@toptradersunplugged.comAnd please share this episode with a like-minded friend and leave an honest Rating & Review on iTunes or Spotify so more people can discover the podcast.Follow Rob on LinkedIn and read his paper.Follow Yoav on Linkedin.Episode TimeStamps:01:57 - Rob Croce’s path from economics to managed futures and trend following04:38 - Yoav on AI-assisted mathematics and solving a 60-year-old problem06:14 - Rob on out-of-sample testing and learning from market structure11:42 - Rising Japanese bond yields and the global bond market backdrop12:39 - Momentum investing and the growing popularity of trend-based strategies17:04 - Current trend following environment across equities, bonds and commodities19:13 - “Betting Against Beta” and why low-beta portfolios may outperform25:43 - The role of leverage aversion and diversification in factor investing34:26 - Rob Croce’s paper: where crisis alpha really comes from40:31 - Why beta timing drives much of trend following’s defensive behavior47:46 - Can carry improve trend following without sacrificing crisis alpha?51:51 - Execution algorithms, risk reduction and trading during crises57:46 - Why correlation spikes matter for portfolio execution and liquidity01:04:05 - Final thoughts and where to find Rob Croce’s researchCopyright © 2025 – CMC AG – All Rights Reserved----PLUS: Whenever you're ready... here are 3 ways I can help you in your investment Journey:1. eBooks that cover key topics that you need to know about In my eBooks, I put together some key discoveries and things I have learnt during the more than 3 decades I have worked in the Trend Following industry, which I hope you will find useful. Click Here2. Daily Trend Barometer and Market Score One of the things I’m really proud of, is the fact that I have managed to published the Trend Barometer and Market Score each day for more than a decade...as these tools are really good at describing the environment for trend following managers as well as giving insights into the general positioning of a trend following strategy! Click Here3. Other Resources that can help youAnd if you are hungry for more useful resources from the trend following world...check out some precious resources that I have found over the years to be really valuable. Click HerePrivacy PolicyDisclaimer
Summary
GM100: Central Banks in the Dark: Inflation, AI, and the Limits of Control ft. David Beckworth
1w ago01:04:28Summary readyToday, we are joined by David Beckworth, Senior Research Fellow at the Mercatus Center and host of Macro Musings, for a deep dive into the biggest macro questions shaping markets right now. David explains why central banks struggle to respond to supply shocks, why inflation expectations are more fragile than policymakers admit, and how frameworks like nominal GDP targeting could offer a more robust path forward. We explore the collision between geopolitical shocks and AI-driven productivity, the hidden consequences of quantitative easing, and the growing tension between monetary policy and fiscal sustainability. From stablecoins and the future of the dollar to the Fed’s balance sheet and financial system plumbing, this episode unpacks the forces quietly reshaping the global economy, and why policymakers may be less in control than we think.-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HERE-----Follow Niels on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube or via the TTU website.IT’s TRUE ? – most CIO’s read 50+ books each year – get your FREE copy of the Ultimate Guide to the Best Investment Books ever written here.And you can get a free copy of my latest book “Ten Reasons to Add Trend Following to Your Portfolio” here.Learn more about the Trend Barometer here.Send your questions to info@toptradersunplugged.comAnd please share this episode with a like-minded friend and leave an honest Rating & Review on iTunes or Spotify so more people can discover the podcast.Follow Alan on LinkedIn.Follow David on X.Episode TimeStamps: 00:00 - Stablecoins, financial stability, and uncertain impact01:00 - David Beckworth’s path into macroeconomics05:43 - How central banks should respond to supply shocks08:56 - Why policymakers struggle to separate supply vs demand11:58 - Inflation expectations and post-COVID sensitivity14:46 - Are central banks over-reliant on flawed inflation models?18:49 - AI as a positive supply shock: hype vs reality22:00 - Productivity booms, deflation, and policy challenges25:11 - Kevin Warsh, AI optimism, and the Fed’s future direction29:33 - QE, QT, and the long-term impact on financial markets33:28 - The “ratchet effect” and why the Fed can’t shrink easily37:59 - Liquidity: abundant or an illusion?41:38 - Are markets addicted to central bank liquidity?44:21 - Fiscal dominance and the long-term risk to central banks53:54 - Stablecoins, dollar dominance, and global demand59:10 - Private credit and the evolving financial system01:00:49 - Books, learning, and building a career in macroCopyright © 2025 – CMC AG – All Rights Reserved----PLUS: Whenever you're ready... here are 3 ways I can help you in your investment Journey:1. eBooks that cover key topics that you need to know about In my eBooks, I put together some key discoveries and things I have learnt during the more than 3 decades I have worked in the Trend Following industry, which I hope you will find useful. Click Here2. Daily Trend Barometer and Market Score One of the things I’m really proud of, is the fact that I have managed to published the Trend Barometer and Market Score each day for more than a decade...as these tools are really good at describing the environment for trend following managers as well as giving insights into the general positioning of a trend following strategy! Click Here3. Other Resources that can help youAnd if you are hungry for more useful resources from the trend following world...check out some precious resources that I have found over the years to be really valuable. Click HerePrivacy PolicyDisclaimer
Summary
SI399: AI, Inflation and the Portfolio That Refuses to Sit Still ft. Alan Dunne
2w ago01:11:50Summary readyToday, Niels and Alan examine a market shaped by two forces pulling in opposite directions: AI’s promise of higher productivity and the inflationary pressure of geopolitical stress. From distorted economic data and shifting rate expectations to energy shocks, fiscal pressure, and the changing role of trend following, this conversation explores why traditional portfolios may need more flexibility than they once did. Alan also shares a world exclusive on the launch of his Regime Adaptive Fund, built around the idea that portfolios should not simply sit through changing regimes, but adjust as markets, inflation, and correlations evolve. A timely discussion on risk, resilience, and the limits of old playbooks.-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HERE-----Follow Niels on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube or via the TTU website.IT’s TRUE ? – most CIO’s read 50+ books each year – get your FREE copy of the Ultimate Guide to the Best Investment Books ever written here.And you can get a free copy of my latest book “Ten Reasons to Add Trend Following to Your Portfolio” here.Learn more about the Trend Barometer here.Send your questions to info@toptradersunplugged.comAnd please share this episode with a like-minded friend and leave an honest Rating & Review on iTunes or Spotify so more people can discover the podcast.Follow Alan on Twitter.Episode TimeStamps:00:00 - Introduction to Top Traders Unplugged00:36 - Niels welcomes Alan Dunne back to the Systematic Investor Series01:31 - How AI is distorting economic data, earnings, and construction trends06:13 - UK council elections, Reform UK, and pressure on political assumptions09:00 - Trend following update and the shift in fixed income exposure13:35 - Why recent macro shocks have created a favorable backdrop for trend followers16:45 - AI, Iran, and the collision between positive and negative supply shocks26:22 - Graham Capital’s research on macro performance across monetary regimes37:09 - AQR’s view on multi-asset portfolios, trend following, and inflation risk46:07 - Why diversification still comes with discomfort51:26 - Should trend following trade equities when stacked on equities?56:38 - Alan reveals the launch of the Regime Adaptive Fund01:05:42 - Equity market strength, hidden risks, and portfolio construction today01:08:46 - Closing thoughts and upcoming episode previewCopyright © 2025 – CMC AG – All Rights Reserved----PLUS: Whenever you're ready... here are 3 ways I can help you in your investment Journey:1. eBooks that cover key topics that you need to know about In my eBooks, I put together some key discoveries and things I have learnt during the more than 3 decades I have worked in the Trend Following industry, which I hope you will find useful. Click Here2. Daily Trend Barometer and Market Score One of the things I’m really proud of, is the fact that I have managed to published the Trend Barometer and Market Score each day for more than a decade...as these tools are really good at describing the environment for trend following managers as well as giving insights into the general positioning of a trend following strategy! Click Here3. Other Resources that can help youAnd if you are hungry for more useful resources from the trend following world...check out some precious resources that I have found over the years to be really valuable. Click HerePrivacy PolicyDisclaimer
Summary
OI22: Inside the Next Generation Market Wizards ft. Jack Schwager & George Coyle
2w ago00:45:12Summary readyWhat does it take to become a true Market Wizard, and why do so many of them fail before they find their edge? In this special episode, Moritz Seibert sits down with Jack Schwager and George Coyle to discuss The Next Generation of Market Wizards, the sixth book in the series that began in 1989. Together, they explore how extraordinary traders are found, how their records are verified in an age of AI, and why many of the most remarkable returns still come from discretionary traders. From blown-up accounts and shorting small caps to the psychological cost of sitting in front of screens for 14 hours a day, this is a rare look at the craft, pressure, and persistence behind exceptional trading.-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HERE-----Follow Niels on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube or via the TTU website.IT’s TRUE ? – most CIO’s read 50+ books each year – get your FREE copy of the Ultimate Guide to the Best Investment Books ever written here.And you can get a free copy of my latest book “Ten Reasons to Add Trend Following to Your Portfolio” here.Learn more about the Trend Barometer here.Send your questions to info@toptradersunplugged.comAnd please share this episode with a like-minded friend and leave an honest Rating & Review on iTunes or Spotify so more people can discover the podcast.Follow Moritz on Twitter.Episode TimeStamps:00:00 – Why single trading systems rarely produce “wizard-level” returns01:17 – Introduction to the new Market Wizards book02:37 – George Coyle’s background and path to co-authoring05:00 – What makes this new book different (focus on solo traders)06:00 – How top traders are discovered10:46 – Verifying extreme performance claims in the AI era13:26 – The most surprising trait: repeated early failure15:54 – New-generation strategies that break “classic” rules19:02 – Timeless trading principles that still hold21:16 – Why most market wizards are discretionary, not systematic24:41 – Why individual quant systems rarely achieve extreme returns26:53 – Listener question: systematic vs discretionary trading30:17 – Personality traits of elite traders32:21 – The hidden “cost” of being a top trader35:50 – Can anyone become a market wizard?38:47 – What’s changed in trading edges over time41:53 – Preview of the next book (hedge fund traders)Copyright © 2025 – CMC AG – All Rights Reserved----PLUS: Whenever you're ready... here are 3 ways I can help you in your investment Journey:1. eBooks that cover key topics that you need to know about In my eBooks, I put together some key discoveries and things I have learnt during the more than 3 decades I have worked in the Trend Following industry, which I hope you will find useful. Click Here2. Daily Trend Barometer and Market Score One of the things I’m really proud of, is the fact that I have managed to published the Trend Barometer and Market Score each day for more than a decade...as these tools are really good at describing the environment for trend following managers as well as giving insights into the general positioning of a trend following strategy! Click Here3. Other Resources that can help youAnd if you are hungry for more useful resources from the trend following world...check out some precious resources that I have found over the years to be really valuable. Click HerePrivacy PolicyDisclaimer
Summary
GM99: Gold, Trust, and the Return of Real Assets ft. Philip Diehl
2w ago01:05:36Summary readyToday, we are joined by Philip Diehl, former Director of the United States Mint and President of U.S. Money Reserve, for a timely conversation about gold’s renewed role in a world shaped by inflation, geopolitical stress, central bank demand, and uncertainty around fiat currencies. Philip explains why gold’s recent rise is not simply a speculative move, but part of a broader shift in how governments, institutions, and individuals think about wealth preservation. From central bank buying and Chinese retail demand to Bitcoin, ETFs, physical coins, and the limits of the U.S. dollar system, this episode explores why gold is once again moving from the margins of portfolios toward the center of the macro conversation.-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HERE-----Follow Niels on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube or via the TTU website.IT’s TRUE ? – most CIO’s read 50+ books each year – get your FREE copy of the Ultimate Guide to the Best Investment Books ever written here.And you can get a free copy of my latest book “Ten Reasons to Add Trend Following to Your Portfolio” here.Learn more about the Trend Barometer here.Send your questions to info@toptradersunplugged.comAnd please share this episode with a like-minded friend and leave an honest Rating & Review on iTunes or Spotify so more people can discover the podcast.Follow Alan on LinkedIn.Follow Philip on LinkedIn.Episode TimeStamps: 00:00 - Why Philip Diehl believes investors should “buy the dip” in gold01:14 - Philip’s career from public policy to the U.S. Mint06:08 - What U.S. Money Reserve does and why physical gold matters08:08 - The forces behind gold’s powerful multi-year rally13:08 - Central bank buying, dollar risk, and portfolio diversification19:05 - Why some central banks may sell gold during stress22:18 - Chinese demand, cultural memory, and the role of retail buyers28:32 - Why Philip does not see Bitcoin as “digital gold”32:44 - Physical gold versus ETFs and the question of ownership37:10 - How retail investors behave during gold bull markets41:16 - Portfolio allocation and the changing case for gold45:52 - Why Philip expects gold to outperform equities over the next decade48:15 - Why today’s gold market is not a repeat of the 1970s52:21 - Gold miners, production limits, and rising extraction costs55:58 - Fort Knox, revaluing U.S. gold reserves, and political reality59:24 - Lessons from Philip’s career and how to learn more about goldCopyright © 2025 – CMC AG – All Rights Reserved----PLUS: Whenever you're ready... here are 3 ways I can help you in your investment Journey:1. eBooks that cover key topics that you need to know about In my eBooks, I put together some key discoveries and things I have learnt during the more than 3 decades I have worked in the Trend Following industry, which I hope you will find useful. Click Here2. Daily Trend Barometer and Market Score One of the things I’m really proud of, is the fact that I have managed to published the Trend Barometer and Market Score each day for more than a decade...as these tools are really good at describing the environment for trend following managers as well as giving insights into the general positioning of a trend following strategy! Click Here3. Other Resources that can help youAnd if you are hungry for more useful resources from the trend following world...check out some precious resources that I have found over the years to be really valuable. Click HerePrivacy PolicyDisclaimer
Summary
SI398: Navigating a VUCA World ft. Mark Rzepczynski
3w ago01:07:49Summary readyToday, we explore what it means to invest in a world defined by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA). We discuss why geopolitical shocks... especially supply-driven ones... are creating persistent trends across markets, and why trend-following strategies are thriving despite strong equity performance. The conversation dives into how investors process information (or fail to), the limits of central bank responses to supply shocks, and why markets may not be fully pricing in current risks. Mark also shares new research comparing hedge fund strategies under different volatility regimes, highlighting why managed futures stand out as a robust diversifier. The episode closes with a forward-looking discussion on AI, replication strategies, and the growing role of narrative versus data in investment decision-making.-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HERE-----Follow Niels on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube or via the TTU website.IT’s TRUE ? – most CIO’s read 50+ books each year – get your FREE copy of the Ultimate Guide to the Best Investment Books ever written here.And you can get a free copy of my latest book “Ten Reasons to Add Trend Following to Your Portfolio” here.Learn more about the Trend Barometer here.Send your questions to info@toptradersunplugged.comAnd please share this episode with a like-minded friend and leave an honest Rating & Review on iTunes or Spotify so more people can discover the podcast.Follow Mark on Twitter.Episode TimeStamps:00:00 – Introduction: Preparing for the unpredictable00:36 – Entering a VUCA world: volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity02:00 – “Uncharted territory” in markets and beyond05:30 – Central banks, leadership changes, and policy uncertainty07:16 – Oil markets, OPEC shifts, and geopolitical tension10:16 – Trend-following performance update and market context14:06 – Reverse engineering CTAs and the role of AI18:42 – Replication strategies vs. true alpha22:41 – Trend-following performance metrics (April update)24:43 – Supply shocks and why they’re harder to manage28:53 – Are markets underreacting to geopolitical risk?31:53 – Information overload, ambiguity, and trend persistence34:54 – Why more data doesn’t mean better decisions38:34 – Government intervention vs. market-driven trends40:30 – Pandemic policies and unintended inflation43:00 – New research: hedge fund strategies vs. volatility regimes47:16 – Why managed futures stand out as diversifiers51:11 – Narrative vs. data in investment decisions55:36 – AI, sentiment analysis, and the future of models58:46 – Simplicity vs. complexity in strategy design01:00:49 – Bundling vs. unbundling investment strategies01:03:18 – Momentum crashes and new research directionsCopyright © 2025 – CMC AG – All Rights Reserved----PLUS: Whenever you're ready... here are 3 ways I can help you in your investment Journey:1. eBooks that cover key topics that you need to know about In my eBooks, I put together some key discoveries and things I have learnt during the more than 3 decades I have worked in the Trend Following industry, which I hope you will find useful. Click Here2. Daily Trend Barometer and Market Score One of the things I’m really proud of, is the fact that I have managed to published the Trend Barometer and Market Score each day for more than a decade...as these tools are really good at describing the environment for trend following managers as well as giving insights into the general positioning of a trend following strategy! Click Here3. Other Resources that can help youAnd if you are hungry for more useful resources from the trend following world...check out some precious resources that I have found over the years to be really valuable. Click HerePrivacy PolicyDisclaimer
Summary
IL48: The Misunderstood Economics of Africa ft. Joe Studwell
3w ago01:00:50Summary readyIn this episode Kevin Coldiron is joined by bestselling author Joe Studwell who speaks about his new book How Africa Works: Success and Failure on the World’s Last Development Frontier. We discuss why many of our perceptions about Africa are wrong - why one big problem has been too few people, not too many and why the continent isn’t as resource-rich as we think. Joe talks us through some surprising success stories - like Rwanda’s emulation of Singapore and Botswana’s success in avoiding “the resource curse”. This is the time to begin researching and understanding the opportunities in a continent that has more land mass than the US, China and India combined and will eventually be home to the majority of the world’s young people.-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HERE-----Follow Niels on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube or via the TTU website.IT’s TRUE ? – most CIO’s read 50+ books each year – get your FREE copy of the Ultimate Guide to the Best Investment Books ever written here.And you can get a free copy of my latest book “Ten Reasons to Add Trend Following to Your Portfolio” here.Learn more about the Trend Barometer here.Send your questions to info@toptradersunplugged.comAnd please share this episode with a like-minded friend and leave an honest Rating & Review on iTunes or Spotify so more people can discover the podcast.Follow Kevin on SubStack & read his Book.Follow Joe on LinkedIn and read his book.Episode TimeStamps: 00:01 - Introduction to the episode and guest02:04 - Why the book was written and initial motivation05:50 - Outsider perspective and reactions in Africa07:22 - The core idea: population density and development08:22 - Why Africa’s growth lagged historically14:23 - Population growth and changing economic potential15:39 - Colonialism in Africa vs Asia20:14 - Land, agriculture, and development differences23:55 - Rise of private sector and food production25:57 - Resources and the limits of extractive growth29:56 - Botswana and managing resource wealth36:21 - Rwanda’s development model and governance44:41 - Ethnic dynamics and future stability50:24 - China’s role and manufacturing potential56:04 - Investing in Africa and long term outlookCopyright © 2025 – CMC AG – All Rights Reserved----PLUS: Whenever you're ready... here are 3 ways I can help you in your investment Journey:1. eBooks that cover key topics that you need to know about In my eBooks, I put together some key discoveries and things I have learnt during the more than 3 decades I have worked in the Trend Following industry, which I hope you will find useful. Click Here2. Daily Trend Barometer and Market Score One of the things I’m really proud of, is the fact that I have managed to published the Trend Barometer and Market Score each day for more than a decade...as these tools are really good at describing the environment for trend following managers as well as giving insights into the general positioning of a trend following strategy! Click Here3. Other Resources that can help youAnd if you are hungry for more useful resources from the trend following world...check out some precious resources that I have found over the years to be really valuable. Click HerePrivacy PolicyDisclaimer
Summary
SI397: The Market Isn’t Free Anymore, It’s Being Managed ft. Cem Karsan
4w ago01:11:47Summary readyToday Cem Karsan and Niels Kaastrup-Larsen examine a market environment where politics, geopolitics and liquidity are becoming harder to separate. Cem argues that recent market strength is not just a reaction to better news, but part of a broader effort to manage risk, support collateral values and prepare for deeper geopolitical stress. From rising military spending and the Strait of Hormuz to treasury demand, QIS growth, AI and the next inflation wave, this conversation is about what happens when markets stop being passive observers and become tools in a larger strategic contest.-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HERE-----Follow Niels on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube or via the TTU website.IT’s TRUE ? – most CIO’s read 50+ books each year – get your FREE copy of the Ultimate Guide to the Best Investment Books ever written here.And you can get a free copy of my latest book “Ten Reasons to Add Trend Following to Your Portfolio” here.Learn more about the Trend Barometer here.Send your questions to info@toptradersunplugged.comAnd please share this episode with a like-minded friend and leave an honest Rating & Review on iTunes or Spotify so more people can discover the podcast.Follow Cem on Twitter.Episode TimeStamps: 00:00:01 - Introduction to Top Traders Unplugged00:00:35 - Niels and Cem reconnect and set the stage00:01:51 - Truth, narratives and the blurring of reality00:04:15 - Fed independence, politics and credibility00:07:45 - The rise of QIS and demand for alternative strategies00:12:52 - Trend following update and current market performance00:15:23 - Framing the disconnect between markets and reality00:20:09 - Liquidity, market rallies and strategic positioning00:25:08 - Are markets being actively managed00:34:51 - The real geopolitical battle and the role of China00:40:32 - What investors may be underpricing00:52:55 - Why markets can rise despite growing risks00:55:56 - Treasury demand, intervention and future policy paths00:58:04 - Inflation, debt monetization and long term outlook01:02:16 - AI, deflation and the political responseCopyright © 2025 – CMC AG – All Rights Reserved----PLUS: Whenever you're ready... here are 3 ways I can help you in your investment Journey:1. eBooks that cover key topics that you need to know about In my eBooks, I put together some key discoveries and things I have learnt during the more than 3 decades I have worked in the Trend Following industry, which I hope you will find useful. Click Here2. Daily Trend Barometer and Market Score One of the things I’m really proud of, is the fact that I have managed to published the Trend Barometer and Market Score each day for more than a decade...as these tools are really good at describing the environment for trend following managers as well as giving insights into the general positioning of a trend following strategy! Click Here3. Other Resources that can help youAnd if you are hungry for more useful resources from the trend following world...check out some precious resources that I have found over the years to be really valuable. Click HerePrivacy PolicyDisclaimer
Summary
UGO11: Fiscal Dominance, Dollar Power, and the Politics Driving Markets ft. Lyn Alden
4w ago01:11:04Summary readyToday, Cem Karsan sits down with Lyn Alden for a wide-ranging conversation on the forces quietly shaping markets beneath the surface. From the persistence of fiscal dominance to the role of populism, demographics, and global power shifts, they explore why the current macro regime may be far harder to reverse than many expect. The discussion moves beyond economics into politics, examining how inequality, globalization, and technological change feed into inflation dynamics and policy decisions. They also tackle the future of the dollar, the risks to its global dominance, and the complex role of crypto in a system defined by power, incentives, and control.-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HERE-----Follow Niels on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube or via the TTU website.IT’s TRUE ? – most CIO’s read 50+ books each year – get your FREE copy of the Ultimate Guide to the Best Investment Books ever written here.And you can get a free copy of my latest book “Ten Reasons to Add Trend Following to Your Portfolio” here.Learn more about the Trend Barometer here.Send your questions to info@toptradersunplugged.comAnd please share this episode with a like-minded friend and leave an honest Rating & Review on iTunes or Spotify so more people can discover the podcast.Follow Cem on Twitter.Episode TimeStamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction to the episode and trading floor setting00:01:28 - Cem introduces Lyn Alden and frames the macro discussion00:02:23 - Lyn outlines her framework and the rise of fiscal dominance00:05:31 - Multipolar world and shifting reserve currency dynamics00:06:20 - Why debt cycles lead to persistent fiscal expansion00:13:42 - Debate on debt, modern monetary theory, and dollar privilege00:18:29 - Populism, inequality, and political drivers of inflation00:24:25 - Trade deficits, globalization, and domestic consequences00:30:20 - What happens if dollar dominance weakens00:34:16 - Comparing today to the 1940s vs the 1970s00:41:47 - Democracy, authoritarian drift, and rule of law00:44:17 - AI, productivity, and inflationary policy responses00:56:08 - Lyn’s views on Bitcoin, stablecoins, and crypto markets01:03:34 - Debate on the long term sustainability of crypto01:09:42 - Closing thoughts on power, money, and the macro outlookCopyright © 2025 – CMC AG – All Rights Reserved----PLUS: Whenever you're ready... here are 3 ways I can help you in your investment Journey:1. eBooks that cover key topics that you need to know about In my eBooks, I put together some key discoveries and things I have learnt during the more than 3 decades I have worked in the Trend Following industry, which I hope you will find useful. Click Here2. Daily Trend Barometer and Market Score One of the things I’m really proud of, is the fact that I have managed to published the Trend Barometer and Market Score each day for more than a decade...as these tools are really good at describing the environment for trend following managers as well as giving insights into the general positioning of a trend following strategy! Click Here3. Other Resources that can help youAnd if you are hungry for more useful resources from the trend following world...check out some precious resources that I have found over the years to be really valuable. Click HerePrivacy PolicyDisclaimer
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