Former practicing quant and current AWS executive, Jason Strimpel, discusses his journey from web development to mastering trading technologies, overcoming personal struggles, and the balance of work, family, and business ventures. He explores complexity in trading, algorithmic trading projects, and open-source community engagement, offering insights into software implementation and portfolio optimization data sets.
Emphasize simplifying complex concepts and diving deep into fundamentals for tackling challenges with confidence.
Utilize technology like Python for data analysis in trading to make informed decisions and navigate market complexities.
Access to technological tools and APIs democratizes learning and creates opportunities for market participation and utilizing advanced mathematical models.
Deep dives
Passion for Complexity and First Principles
The speaker discusses his strong attraction to complexity, always drawn back to first principles when approaching tasks. This tendency to simplify complicated concepts and dive deep into understanding the core fundamentals has become a defining trait, leading him to tackle hard problems with confidence.
Connecting Technology and Trading
The speaker emphasizes the incredible opportunities available in the current era for blending technology and trading. With tools like Python and advanced software, traders can express their views in the market, leveraging data and automation to make informed decisions and navigate the complexities of trading with precision.
The Power of Accessible Technology
The speaker highlights the accessibility and power of technological tools in the modern age. From startups launching with minimal resources to the ability to apply advanced mathematical models in trading, the availability of APIs, and the internet have democratized opportunities for learning, creating, and market participation.
The Durability of Online Communities
The discussion touches on the lasting impact of online communities, emphasizing the enduring trust and connections that can be built over time. Mentions the reliability of seeking advice from trusted individuals and the value of simplicity in solutions, highlighting the strength of sustainable networks in various fields of expertise.
Exploring Algorithmic Trading Opportunities
The podcast delves into the intricacies of algorithmic trading and the challenges individuals face in amalgamating theoretical knowledge with practical application. Emphasizing the need to bridge the gap between theory and implementation, the speaker highlights the significance of platforms like Quantopian that provide a practical approach to leveraging acquired knowledge. By focusing on direct application rather than delving deep into theoretical underpinnings, individuals can navigate the complex world of trading with an emphasis on real-world implementation.
Enhancing Strategic Decision-Making in Algorithmic Trading
The discussion shifts towards the essence of strategic decision-making in algorithmic trading, elucidating the importance of identifying inefficiencies within the market. Highlighting the concept of 'edge' in trading strategies, the podcast explores the necessity of crafting a cohesive narrative that aligns with economic realities when developing trading strategies. By integrating tools like crack spreads as proxies for refining trading methodologies, individuals are encouraged to adopt a narrative-driven approach that combines economic insights with practical application, paving the way for a more nuanced understanding of market dynamics.
Jason Strimpel rises at 4 am every day to crank out code and write about python in finance through his amazing weekly newsletter, PyQuantNews. If you haven’t subscribed already, go sign up right now; every week Jason sends out some of the best python code for finance. He’s a former practicing quant and current AWS executive with a busy family life, yet he still manages to craft these instant python classics week in and week out. I had the great pleasure of a long conversation with Jason about his work, his past (including some struggles), and what he is looking forward to building.
As always, if there are any topics you would like us to focus on for future videos, please comment below or send us a quick note at info@quantopian.com.
Disclaimer
Quantopian provides this presentation to help people write trading algorithms - it is not intended to provide investment advice.
More specifically, the material is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation to buy, or a recommendation or endorsement for any security or strategy, nor does it constitute an offer to provide investment advisory or other services by Quantopian.
In addition, the content neither constitutes investment advice nor offers any opinion with respect to the suitability of any security or any specific investment. Quantopian makes no guarantees as to accuracy or completeness of the views expressed in the website. The views are subject to change, and may have become unreliable for various reasons, including changes in market conditions or economic circumstances.
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