Elad Lavi, Executive Vice President of Corporate Development, reveals that 74% of the company's users were profitable in 2024, fighting the stereotype that retail traders are “clueless.”
Moreover, retail investors play an increasingly significant role in global capital markets, managing 52% of global AUM.
For years,
retail investors have been brushed off as impulsive, emotional, or just plain
clueless. The stereotype hit a fever pitch during the meme stock craze of 2021 when names like GameStop and AMC became symbols of chaotic, amateur trading.
But Elad
Lavi, Executive Vice President of Corporate Development and Strategy at eToro, argues it’s time to ditch that tired narrative for good. Especially since retailers account for an increasingly larger piece of the global assets under management cake each year.
Retail Investors Are Busting
the “Dumb Money” Myth in 2024
eToro has
released an analysis challenging the notion that individual investors are
prone to impulsive and emotionally driven trading decisions. The company's
findings suggest that retail investors are becoming increasingly sophisticated
and are playing a growing role in global capital markets, fighting the “dumb
money” myth.
According
to eToro's data, 74% of its users were profitable in 2024, with that figure
rising to 80% for members of its premium “Club” tier. These results
appear consistent with the platform's 2023 performance, where 79% of users and
85% of Club members reported profits.
Elad Lavi, Executive Vice President of Corporate Development & Strategy at eToro
“Technology
has leveled the playing field, and today's retail investors have access to the
tools and knowledge they need to succeed,” wrote Lavi on the company's website. “Our
platform shows that users are not just learning about investing, they are
applying that knowledge to successfully meet their long-term financial
goals.”
Not Just the U.S.
The
importance of retail investors in global markets is growing. They accounted for
52% of global assets under management in 2021, a figure expected to rise to
over 61% by 2030. Additionally, younger generations are entering the market
earlier, with Gen Z investors starting at an average age of 19, compared to 32
for Gen X and 35 for Baby Boomers.
But it’s
not just Americans jumping in. Europe, where retail participation has lagged,
is catching up fast. In 2023, just 7% of E.U. adults had stock market exposure,
and in the U.K., it was 20%. Yet experts at Oliver Wyman predict a boom: by
2028, Europe could see 22 million new brokerage accounts, boosting penetration
from 6.8% to 11.7%.
Meanwhile,
a massive generational shift is underway. Gen Z is investing at 19, far younger
than Gen X (32) or Baby Boomers (35), fueled by a staggering $83.5 trillion
wealth transfer expected over the next two decades, per UBS.
The
investment preferences of retail investors also evolved in 2024. On eToro's
platform, Nvidia displaced Tesla as the most widely held stock, while Advanced
Micro Devices entered the top ten. This shift reflects a growing retail interest
in artificial intelligence and semiconductor stocks.
“The
rise of the retail investor is challenging old models of market behavior,” Lavi
added. “Markets now reflect not just fundamentals, but also collective belief.
Retail investors play an increasingly large part in that belief system.”
Beyond U.S.
borders, eToro users are diversifying globally. Names like ASML Holding
(semiconductors), LVMH (luxury goods), and Rolls-Royce (aerospace) dominate the
top ten non-U.S. stocks, showing a sophisticated grasp of industries driving
the future.
As the
global wealth transfer continues, with an estimated $83.5 trillion in assets
expected to be passed to younger generations over the next two to two and a
half decades, the influence of retail investors on market dynamics is likely to
grow further.
“Understanding
the behavior of retail investors is now vital to understanding how markets
move,” Lavi concluded.
The retail
investor of 2025 is connected, clued-in, and calling the shots. With their
influence only set to grow, one thing’s certain: the “dumb money” label is
officially dead. Welcome to a new era of investing—one where the little guy
isn’t so little anymore.
For years,
retail investors have been brushed off as impulsive, emotional, or just plain
clueless. The stereotype hit a fever pitch during the meme stock craze of 2021 when names like GameStop and AMC became symbols of chaotic, amateur trading.
But Elad
Lavi, Executive Vice President of Corporate Development and Strategy at eToro, argues it’s time to ditch that tired narrative for good. Especially since retailers account for an increasingly larger piece of the global assets under management cake each year.
Retail Investors Are Busting
the “Dumb Money” Myth in 2024
eToro has
released an analysis challenging the notion that individual investors are
prone to impulsive and emotionally driven trading decisions. The company's
findings suggest that retail investors are becoming increasingly sophisticated
and are playing a growing role in global capital markets, fighting the “dumb
money” myth.
According
to eToro's data, 74% of its users were profitable in 2024, with that figure
rising to 80% for members of its premium “Club” tier. These results
appear consistent with the platform's 2023 performance, where 79% of users and
85% of Club members reported profits.
Elad Lavi, Executive Vice President of Corporate Development & Strategy at eToro
“Technology
has leveled the playing field, and today's retail investors have access to the
tools and knowledge they need to succeed,” wrote Lavi on the company's website. “Our
platform shows that users are not just learning about investing, they are
applying that knowledge to successfully meet their long-term financial
goals.”
Not Just the U.S.
The
importance of retail investors in global markets is growing. They accounted for
52% of global assets under management in 2021, a figure expected to rise to
over 61% by 2030. Additionally, younger generations are entering the market
earlier, with Gen Z investors starting at an average age of 19, compared to 32
for Gen X and 35 for Baby Boomers.
But it’s
not just Americans jumping in. Europe, where retail participation has lagged,
is catching up fast. In 2023, just 7% of E.U. adults had stock market exposure,
and in the U.K., it was 20%. Yet experts at Oliver Wyman predict a boom: by
2028, Europe could see 22 million new brokerage accounts, boosting penetration
from 6.8% to 11.7%.
Meanwhile,
a massive generational shift is underway. Gen Z is investing at 19, far younger
than Gen X (32) or Baby Boomers (35), fueled by a staggering $83.5 trillion
wealth transfer expected over the next two decades, per UBS.
The
investment preferences of retail investors also evolved in 2024. On eToro's
platform, Nvidia displaced Tesla as the most widely held stock, while Advanced
Micro Devices entered the top ten. This shift reflects a growing retail interest
in artificial intelligence and semiconductor stocks.
“The
rise of the retail investor is challenging old models of market behavior,” Lavi
added. “Markets now reflect not just fundamentals, but also collective belief.
Retail investors play an increasingly large part in that belief system.”
Beyond U.S.
borders, eToro users are diversifying globally. Names like ASML Holding
(semiconductors), LVMH (luxury goods), and Rolls-Royce (aerospace) dominate the
top ten non-U.S. stocks, showing a sophisticated grasp of industries driving
the future.
As the
global wealth transfer continues, with an estimated $83.5 trillion in assets
expected to be passed to younger generations over the next two to two and a
half decades, the influence of retail investors on market dynamics is likely to
grow further.
“Understanding
the behavior of retail investors is now vital to understanding how markets
move,” Lavi concluded.
The retail
investor of 2025 is connected, clued-in, and calling the shots. With their
influence only set to grow, one thing’s certain: the “dumb money” label is
officially dead. Welcome to a new era of investing—one where the little guy
isn’t so little anymore.
Damian's adventure with financial markets began at the Cracow University of Economics, where he obtained his MA in finance and accounting. Starting from the retail trader perspective, he collaborated with brokerage houses and financial portals in Poland as an independent editor and content manager. His adventure with Finance Magnates began in 2016, where he is working as a business intelligence analyst.
Visa Brings Stablecoins to Main Street Banking With U.S. Rollout
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Executive Interview | Charlotte Bullock | Chief Product Officer, Bank of London | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Charlotte Bullock | Chief Product Officer, Bank of London | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Charlotte Bullock | Chief Product Officer, Bank of London | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Charlotte Bullock | Chief Product Officer, Bank of London | FMLS:25
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Charlotte reflects on the Summit so far and talks about the culture inside fintech banks today. We look at the pressures that come with scaling, and how firms can hold onto the nimble approach that made them stand out early on.
We also cover the state of payments ahead of her appearance on the payments roundtable: the blockages financial firms face, the areas that still need fixing, and what a realistic solution looks like in 2026.
In this interview, we sat down with Charlotte Bullock, Head of Product at The Bank of London, previously at SAP and now shaping product at one of the sector’s most ambitious new banking players.
Charlotte reflects on the Summit so far and talks about the culture inside fintech banks today. We look at the pressures that come with scaling, and how firms can hold onto the nimble approach that made them stand out early on.
We also cover the state of payments ahead of her appearance on the payments roundtable: the blockages financial firms face, the areas that still need fixing, and what a realistic solution looks like in 2026.
In this interview, we sat down with Charlotte Bullock, Head of Product at The Bank of London, previously at SAP and now shaping product at one of the sector’s most ambitious new banking players.
Charlotte reflects on the Summit so far and talks about the culture inside fintech banks today. We look at the pressures that come with scaling, and how firms can hold onto the nimble approach that made them stand out early on.
We also cover the state of payments ahead of her appearance on the payments roundtable: the blockages financial firms face, the areas that still need fixing, and what a realistic solution looks like in 2026.
In this interview, we sat down with Charlotte Bullock, Head of Product at The Bank of London, previously at SAP and now shaping product at one of the sector’s most ambitious new banking players.
Charlotte reflects on the Summit so far and talks about the culture inside fintech banks today. We look at the pressures that come with scaling, and how firms can hold onto the nimble approach that made them stand out early on.
We also cover the state of payments ahead of her appearance on the payments roundtable: the blockages financial firms face, the areas that still need fixing, and what a realistic solution looks like in 2026.
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We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
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Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
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We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
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In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
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In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
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Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
