Citi(US:C) Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-09-21 11:16Core Insights - Gary Stevenson, a former trader at Citigroup, shares his journey from a struggling youth in East London to becoming one of the top traders in the world, ultimately leaving the finance industry to pursue a deeper understanding of economic inequality and systemic issues [1][3][40]. Group 1: Early Life and Career - Gary Stevenson grew up in a challenging environment, selling candy at school and engaging in small trades, which laid the foundation for his future in finance [3][5]. - He joined Citigroup in 2008 as the youngest trader in London, quickly rising to manage trades worth hundreds of billions [3][11]. - Despite his success, he struggled with insomnia and the pressures of the trading environment, leading him to write a book titled "The Trading Game" [3][11]. Group 2: Trading Success and Strategies - Stevenson won a trading competition at Citigroup, which led to an internship, showcasing his ability to manipulate market sentiment [7][9]. - During the 2008 financial crisis, he capitalized on the popularity of foreign exchange swaps, earning significant profits for Citigroup [11][13]. - By the end of 2009, he became the first trader to earn $12 million in his first year, driven by favorable market conditions and a unique trading strategy [15][17]. Group 3: Market Insights and Economic Understanding - Stevenson recognized that successful trading relies on being right when others are wrong, emphasizing the importance of understanding market psychology [18][21]. - He observed that the economic models used by many traders were disconnected from reality, leading to widespread misjudgments in the market [23][24]. - His insights into economic inequality and systemic issues led him to bet against the prevailing market consensus, resulting in substantial profits during crises [26][29]. Group 4: Departure from Citigroup and New Ventures - After years of success, Stevenson faced mental health challenges and dissatisfaction with the trading environment, prompting his decision to leave Citigroup [31][34]. - Following his departure, he pursued a master's degree in economics at Oxford, focusing on the structural issues he encountered in finance [40]. - He established a YouTube channel and wrote articles to raise awareness about economic mechanisms and advocate for systemic change [40][43].