 IFTA's 38th Annual Conference Speakers
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The Deceit of Technical Analysis Keynote: Tom Hougaard Since 2015, I’ve earned over €60 million trading my own account. By mid-2025 alone, I’m up 800%—most of it live-streamed on YouTube. But here’s the part most people don’t see before that success: I spent 14 years failing at intraday trading. I mastered every form of technical analysis yet kept losing. Why? Because the problem wasn’t the market—it was me. Everything changed when I stopped obsessing over charts and started analyzing my own behavior, emotions, and mindset. Here’s the harsh truth: technical analysis alone is the great deception. Even today, 75% of retail traders still lose money—despite having unlimited access to tools, courses, and information.
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High-Stakes Trader | Author of Best Loser Wins|
Reusing Basic Technical Analysis — Envelope Fitting Strategies and Trend Turning Points Presenter: Shinji Okada, CMTA, CFTe, MFTA The strong performance of the stock market attracts both institutional and individual investors. Even without advanced technical analysis, investors can identify trends and turning points by refining basic tools. In this session, the speaker will demonstrate an innovative approach to using envelopes—adapting them to recent price movements—to better capture trends and key turning points, offering a practical strategy for effective market analysis.
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Shinji Okada, MFTA, works for a financial information vendor in Tokyo, where he provides technical analysis training to service development teams and users, including brokers, traders, bank analysts, and securities firms. His career began at a brokerage firm following the completion of his master’s degree in political science.|
Technical Analysis for Wealth Creation - Identifying and Riding Mega Trends Using Traditional Technical Tools with Today’s New-Age Techniques Presenter: Gautam Shah, CFTe, MSTA, CMT Technical Analysis for long-term investing and wealth creation has been a point of debate among market participants for a long time now. There is a consensus belief that technical analysis is best used for trading and short-term trends. In this presentation, a completely different side of technical analysis will be presented where a case will be built as to how one can use charts to identify and ride mega trends over many months and even years. This will be done using some of the time-tested age-old concepts and some newer techniques that would act as a filtering mechanism. Mr. Gautam Shah will use his 25 years of experience of seeing multiple bull and bear markets to present a strong case for using technical analysis for wealth creation. He has successfully done the same for large institutional clients/family offices/HNI’s at his firm, Goldilocks Global Research. Concepts like market breadth that can help identify market tops and bottoms will be explained along with case studies. Also, how one can use the moving average crossover system to ride mega trends without getting thrown out during short corrective phases. The beauty of ratio charts will also be explained using examples that can help capture outperformance and generate alpha. There will also be a brief mention of the concept of "volume at price" that helps an investor stay in the trend and ride along with smart money. Overall, one can expect a session where every member of the audience will be enthralled and made to think of technical analysis in a way that is contrary to popular opinion.
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Mr. Gautam Shah is the Founder of Goldilocks Global Research. He is a well-known financial market veteran with over two decades of experience. He is renowned for his sharp market insights and precise forecasts.|
Presentation Title: MACD-v: The 7 Core Patterns of a Twice Awarded Momentum Indicator Presenter: Alex Spiroglou, CFTe, DipTA, Award-Winning Trading Innovator
Have you ever relied on RSI, only to watch it remain overbought or oversold for far too long? Or used MACD, only to see it churn out one false signal after another? Then felt completely overwhelmed by the hundreds of indicators available?
Traditional momentum tools like RSI and MACD have their limits. They struggle to adapt in volatile markets, can’t handle extreme price swings, and often deliver misleading signals.
But there is a better solution.
What is MACD-v? What You'll Learn: Explore this Innovative Tool and its Applications
Bonus for Attendees: Don’t miss out on this exclusive opportunity to enhance your trading tools. As a special bonus for this session attendees, you’ll receive the powerful MACD-v indicator for Metastock, TradingView, MT4, and Stock charts, along with custom scans and explorations to supercharge your market analysis. This is your chance to take your trading to the next level with cutting-edge tools straight from an industry expert!
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Turning Data into Edge — Success Factors for Options Trades Presenter: Marcus Ruhnau, MBA In today’s options markets, high-resolution open interest heat maps reveal where institutional footprints cluster and where gamma magnets can pin price action around key strikes. Layered on that liquidity lens is a sector outperformance readout, the Ruhnau-Berger Model to spot industries moving from “lagging” to “outperforming” and to track how their implied volatility skews diverge across the curve. Against this backdrop, Marcus unpacks entry playbooks for three flagship tactics—directional longs, premium selling shorts, and risk-defined credit spreads—showing how timing windows tighten when open interest geometry aligns with technical triggers surfaced by objective screeners such as Trades Scanner. He then codifies the non-negotiables that separate marginal setups from high probability trades: deep underlying liquidity, controllable borrow costs, disciplined position sizing, and a rules-based exit ladder—principles echoed in high wire options frameworks. Attendees leave with a repeatable checklist for locating asymmetric reward-to-risk opportunities across equities, indices, and ETFs.
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Marcus has applied AI-powered algorithms to multidimensional problems since 2004 and now channels that expertise into rule-based trading systems rooted in the weekly Commitments of Traders (COT) report published by the CFTC. By combining COT extremes with options open interest heatmaps and gamma distribution dashboards, he isolates sentiment pivots and liquidity “magnets” that often precede major price inflections. Each concept is stress tested through Monte Carlo simulations and reinforced with Lean / Six Sigma methodologies he once used to optimize chemical plant or automotive processes and now employs for portfolio risk modeling.|
Predicting the Price — An Old Idea Reimagined VIDEO Presenter: David Linton, MFTA Bringing Point and Figure Price Targets into the 21st century and placing them on time-based charts. This session looks at various projection methods for arriving at likely future dates that Price Targets might be met.
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David is one of the UK’s leading technical analysts and a well-known market commentator. He is the founder and CEO of Updata, based in London. He is the author of Cloud Charts—Trading Success with the Ichimoku Technique.|
The Stochastic Oscillator Second Signal: A Significant Signal Justified and Enhanced by Time Cycles VIDEO Presenter: Mohamed Ashraf, MFTA, CFTe, CETA In his session, Mohamed will introduce a special signal– one that works efficiently across different time frames and in various locations within different types of trends, which is the Slow Stochastic Oscillator Second Signal. Using this signal alongside with time analysis will enhance and confirm it. Even if time cycle analysis is not actively used as a parallel tool, the signal itself serves as a reflection of time-cycle market behavior and is generated by a specific situation within the time cycles, “the Ripples effect”.
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Mohamed Ashraf is the Technical Analysis Director for CI-Capital, the premier investment bank in Egypt.|
Exploring New Horizons in Technical Analysis Presenter: Rolf Wetzer, Ph.D., MFTA, CFTe Technical analysis is a general term for any type of financial analysis based on market data and statistics. Over the years, countless different methods have been introduced and applied. Exploring new horizons in technical analysis means that we either use different methods or strategies to enrich our analysis or trading. This presentation discusses the AI framework and briefly introduces a variety of approaches that have appeared over the years at IFTA conferences, in our journal, or in MFTA papers. They are outlined for the user. No textbook knowledge is provided.
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Rolf Wetzer is a seasoned institutional asset manager with over 30 years of experience and a recognized expert in technical analysis. He is CEO and co-founder of Ghiribizzo, a firm specializing in proprietary algorithmic trading.|
On the Pulse of the Market: Momentum for Traders and Investors Presenter: Jörg Scherer, CFTe
The only person you can trust in your life is your mom. And the first three letters of momentum are M-O-M!“ This quote by Ralph Acampora – the godfather of technical analysis – shows the value of momentum strategies which Joerg Scherer also found within his own studies over the last 25 years. “Exploring new horizons in technical analysis – exploring new horizons in momentum”! In his presentation, Joerg Scherer, will discuss different momentum strategies, how to use them in different time frames over different markets … as trader as well as an investor. At the end of his lecture you will hopefully agree with Ralph Acampora.
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Jörg Scherer has more than 25 years of market experience. He holds a master’s degree in economics and has been working for HSBC in Germany since 2005. As Head of Technical Analysis, he is responsible for the "HSBC Daily Trading", one of the most widely read trading newsletters in Germany. His well-founded market opinions and accurate forecasts make him a popular interview partner on (German) television, in the press, and increasingly on social media|
The History and Practical Application of Bollinger Bands Keynote: John Bollinger, CFA, CMT John Bollinger will discuss the history and construction of Bollinger Bands. He will present the two most important Bollinger Band Indicators, discuss the two most important dimensions of trading success, and will present examples of the practical application of Bollinger Bands that help you take advantage of those dimensions.
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John Bollinger is the founder and president of Bollinger Capital Management, and is internationally known as the developer of Bollinger Bands.|
The Art of Staying Centered – Personal Growth Reflected in the Markets Presenter: Patrick Nill In his talk, Patrick Nill takes the audience on a personal journey through nearly 30 years of entrepreneurship and eight years as a full-time trader. This is not about setups or strategies – but about the deeper learning processes that unfold when one confronts the markets with honesty over time. In an industry often dominated by numbers and short-term performance, Nill speaks about discipline, self-responsibility, internal conflict – and how trading becomes a mirror of personal maturity. An honest and inspiring keynote about decisions, setbacks, and the quiet strength that arises when we learn to stay centered in the face of uncertainty.
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Patrick Nill has been an entrepreneur for nearly 30 years and a full-time trader for the past eight years. He focuses on market-neutral trading using a structured, discretionary approach. In addition to working with various asset management firms, he runs his own trading academy where he shares his extensive market experience. His strategies are applied both in institutional settings and in the training of future traders. Since 2020, he has consistently ranked among the top four traders worldwide In the world Trading Championship - Including two overall victories.|
How I Won the World Cup Trading Championship Using Dark Pools & Order Flow: Trading the Unseen with AI Presenter: Dato’ Dr. Nazri Khan (a.k.a. DDNK), MSTA, CFTe In today’s fragmented, algorithm-driven markets, dark pools have emerged as crucial execution venues for institutional flows, yet remain largely invisible to most traders. These off-exchange platforms, designed for anonymity and large order sizes, now account for a significant portion of global equity volume, disrupting traditional price discovery and concealing critical trade intentions. This session, led by Dato’ Dr. Nazri Khan (DDNK)—a globally recognized market strategist and Robin Cup winner at the World Cup Trading Championship—explores how advanced AI and data intelligence are unveiling insights into these opaque liquidity pools. With a remarkable track record of over 1,000% cumulative returns across four consecutive quarters in 2024, DDNK will reveal how he leverages real-time dark pool data, order flow analysis, machine learning models, and alternative sentiment signals to detect institutional footprints before they impact public markets. From pinpointing hidden accumulation zones to forecasting volatility spikes, his AI-driven strategy combines quantitative rigor with tactical market timing. Attendees will gain actionable insights into the tools and methodologies needed to decode non-lit order flow, optimize execution, and enhance alpha generation in an increasingly automated and concealed trading environment. Designed for professional traders, fund managers, and quantitative strategists, this presentation provides a tactical roadmap for transforming dark liquidity into a powerful informational advantage, where mastering the unseen is the new edge in global markets.
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Dato’ Dr. Nazri Khan, widely known as DDNK, is a Certified and Licensed Fund Manager and currently serves as the Chief Investment Officer of Berjaya Mutual Berhad. With over 20 years of experience in financial markets, he is recognized for his expertise in technical analysis, portfolio strategy, and investor education. He holds a degree in Economics from the University of Manchester and a PhD from Multimedia University. Additionally, he is a Certified Financial Technician (CFTe) from the International Federation of Technical Analysts (IFTA) and a Certified Member of the UK Society of Technical Analysts (STA).|
Quant-Driven Big Picture Thinking for Fine-Tuned Trading Presenter: Andrea Unger In today’s complex markets, effective trading requires more than just precise tools — it demands a deep understanding of the bigger picture. Quant-driven big picture analysis helps identify market regimes, structural shifts, and hidden correlations. By aligning these high-level insights with fine-tuned trading strategies, traders can enhance their decision-making, adapt to shifting environments, and optimize the use of technical indicators and execution tools. This session explores how a quant-informed macro view can become the foundation for smarter, more precise trading.
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Founder, Unger Academy|
How to Think Like a Pro Trader: Risk, Rules, and Real Results Presenter: Max Schulz What separates amateur traders from true professionals isn’t luck or talent — it’s structure, discipline, and data. In this talk, I’ll share the four core principles that transformed my own trading: building a solid daily routine to avoid emotional decisions and FOMO, creating clear risk management rules that protect capital, learning to cut losses early by identifying the 20% of trades that do the most damage, and tracking performance with hard numbers instead of gut feelings. If you want to trade with clarity, confidence, and real results, this session will show you how to think like a pro.
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What makes Max different from other successful traders is that he has been willing to publish his trading strategy and all his trades in real-time over the years - the good, bad, and ugly. Why? Because Max wants his followers to understand how trading really works. Losses and drawdowns are part of the game, and every trader has to deal with that aspect of trading.|
The Secret to 10X Your Profit Target Accuracy with Time Trading VIDEO Presenter: Asst. Prof. Dr. Gema Goeyardi, MM, MH, CAT, CFTe, MFTA, CWM, CSA, CTAD Founder & CEO Astronacci International Master how to ride the market wave Get the 10x profit target with time trading.
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Structured Trading, Proven Results – Inside the System of the 2025 World Champion Presenter: Robin Kömel Success in trading is never random – it follows a clear and disciplined system. In this 45-minute presentation, Robin Kömel shares how he won the 2025 Trading World Championship and achieved an outstanding 183% return through a structured approach and rigorous risk management. You will discover how he analyzes markets, identifies setups, and executes trades with precision. Robin explains how having a defined plan eliminates emotional decision-making and enables consistent profitability. Using real-world examples, he highlights the rules that truly matter – and shows how you can apply them to your own trading. The presentation goes beyond theory: it provides you with a proven, battle-tested system that has been delivering strong returns for many years.
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Podium Discussion |
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Constructing Investment Systems with Technical Analysis Presenter: Zoë Bollinger, CFP® Technical analysis provides powerful tools for portfolio construction. In this presentation Zoë Bollinger will look at how to use technical analysis as a building block for system construction, taking a deep dive into the process of strategy development through the example of both a high growth and a defensive strategy. On the offensive side Zoë will explore the different parameters and components needed to construct a successful relative strength portfolio and take a look at how RS portfolios can be adapted to meet different goals and risk tolerance levels. Turning to defense, Zoë will showcase how to use technical indicators to construct portfolios with a focus on capital preservation, allowing investors to meet long term goals with reduced volatility.
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Zoë Bollinger is Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Bollinger Capital Management, where she develops and implements innovative investment offerings for clients. As a Certified Financial Planner™, Zoë assists clients in achieving their long-term financial goals. Zoë serves on the board of the International Federation of Technical Analysts (IFTA) and is an international speaker on technical analysis and investment management strategies.|
Your Edge Over Institutional Traders–And How to Exploit It Presenter: Trevor Neil, MCSI, MSTA
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Trevor Neil is Director of RRG Research BV and one of Europe’s leading experts in Quantitative and Technical Analysis, with over 40 years in the financial industry.|
Artificial Intelligence for Volatility Forecasting: Turning Market Uncertainty into Strategic Advantage Presenter: Giovanni Trombetta, Electronic Engineer, CFTA, and Michael Trequattrini, CSTA Artificial Intelligence is transforming the way we understand and manage financial markets—streamlining microstructure operations and redefining how volatility is forecasted. In an increasingly complex, data-rich environment, the ability to anticipate market fluctuations is vital for traders, portfolio managers, and risk professionals. In this session, Giovanni Trombetta and Michael Trequattrini will explore the machine learning techniques at the forefront of volatility prediction, a cornerstone of effective risk management and strategic planning. From classical statistical models to advanced deep learning frameworks, the speakers will demonstrate how AI can deliver more accurate and timely volatility forecasts. Given volatility’s cyclical behavior, it presents an ideal use case for high-precision predictive models. However, the effectiveness of these models hinges on the quality, structure, and availability of data. The discussion will cover best practices in feature engineering, the role of alternative data sources, and the practical challenges of deploying AI in live trading environments. By combining theory with real-world applications, this session offers a clear and actionable perspective on how AI is reshaping volatility forecasting and risk management in modern finance.
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Giovanni Trombetta is an entrepreneur and electronic engineer specializing in artificial intelligence algorithms for quantitative finance. His core expertise includes evolutionary algorithms and machine learning models, which he applies to the development of automated trading systems, asset allocation strategies, and financial modeling.
Michael Trequattrini is a research fellow at the University of Perugia, where he develops discrete and continuous latent variable models for applications in quantitative finance. His work focuses on alpha generation, leveraging artificial intelligence to design innovative trading and asset allocation strategies.|
The Science of Charting: Inside Golden Gate University’s Technical Analysis Program Presenter: Brett Villaume, CMT, CAIA This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of the Golden Gate University (GGU) Technical Analysis Program, beginning with its history, curriculum structure, and key partnerships, including the Hank Pruden Scholarship Fund and the TSAA-SF. It outlines the program’s three-course sequence—FI 352, FI 358, and FI 360—which guides students through learning technical analysis (TA) tools, testing strategies, and justifying their effectiveness. The presentation delves into the foundational principles of scientific testing in TA, including the distinction between subjective and objective approaches, the role of falsifiable claims, and the application of the scientific method. Attendees will learn how to develop and evaluate trading rules, conduct backtesting, and apply hypothesis testing to assess statistical significance. Finally, the presentation addresses the risks of data mining and how to address the inherent bias, emphasizing a disciplined, evidence-based approach to technical analysis.
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Brett Villaume has served as an adjunct professor at GGU, teaching both online and on-campus since 2013. During his career, he was the Director of Investor Relations at a publicly traded financial institution headquartered in Southern California, and served as Research Analyst at a boutique investment banking and research firm based in San Francisco, California, covering publicly traded small- to mid-cap banks in the western region.|
Options – The Champions League of Investing Presenter: Andrei Anissimov, Stock Market Professional and Bestselling Author Stock market trading offers enormous opportunities - but also risks. What does it take to be a successful stock market investor on the long run? What do successful investors differently from those who lose their money? Book author and options trading expert Andrei Anissimov will answer these questions and show how anyone can generate regular income on the stock market using a simple system. In the training you will learn:
In the training you will learn: Speaker Andrei Anissimov has trained fund and asset managers as well as several thousand private investors how to increase chances and lower risks with option trading. As a book author and experienced trainer, he says: “Success on the stock market can be learned - just like driving a car”.
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Today, I am joined by financial expert and author Andrei Anissimov. He says, “Success on the stock market can be learned—just like driving a car.” Andrei Anissimov knows exactly what it takes to achieve the highest returns with low risk on the stock market.|
Adaptive Trading Framework: Generating Returns in Constantly Changing Markets Presenter: Gaz Paz In technical analysis, the only constant is change. Markets are driven by supply and demand, and these forces evolve continuously. When I began trading independently, I developed a fixed rule strategy, based primarily on technical analysis and position management. While initially effective, its success rate diminished year after year until it eventually stopped working. This challenge led me to design a trading framework with adaptability at its core—flexible enough to adjust to shifting market conditions.
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Gil Paz has been investing since the nineties and has been trading actively for almost two decade. After having developed a successful trading strategy, he decided in 2012 to start trading full-time. Since then, he trades for institutional clients as well as his own capital. Additionally, he is a well-known Educator in the field of trading in the English and German speaking world.Conference Sponsors
