2024 Return: 68.64% (Max drawdown: approx. −46%)
Cumulative benchmark comparison
Options Trading
Start Options Trading in Germany 2026
Experience & results How has the Optionist performed?
Why consider mentoring with the Optionist?
As explained in my introduction, I have been involved with financial markets for around 20 years. Especially at the beginning, I tried many different approaches. Only after I began following a clear plan was I able to improve step by step.
Since around 2018, my average return has been approximately 30% per year. A substantial part of that return, however, came from a Bitcoin and Ethereum position that I opened during the COVID crash. Only after my portfolio had reached a certain size did I begin studying options seriously. They immediately fascinated me, and since then I have focused almost exclusively on options trading.
The results are strong, but 2024 and 2025 were exceptionally bullish market years. The high returns shown in the charts below are therefore not representative. I have already experienced several drawdowns and have a plan B for more difficult market environments.
Note: I did not trade my first option until April 11, 2024, so the 2024 trading year shown here is incomplete.
Blue = Optionist return
Yellow = Nasdaq 100
Green = S&P 500 (SPX)
2025 Return: 115.18% (Max drawdown: approx. −30%)
Cumulative benchmark comparison
Important: Past performance does not guarantee future results. These charts provide personal context only and are neither a promise of returns nor investment advice. The stated maximum drawdowns are approximate readings from the displayed curves.
Starting point I want to start trading options. What do I need?
The first step is the right infrastructure. To trade real exchange-listed options, you need a broker that actually provides access to listed options markets.
Neo-brokers such as Trade Republic or Scalable Capital can be useful for stocks, ETFs and simple derivatives, but they mainly offer warrants, knock-outs or certificates. These are issuer products, not listed options.
If you want to sell options and collect premium as an option seller, you need direct access to exchange-listed options.
Broker choice
For many German options traders, Interactive Brokers is one of the best-known routes. EU clients are typically onboarded through Interactive Brokers Ireland, regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Trading permissions, margin and product access should be understood before the first trade.
Important restriction for EU clients
Many US ETFs cannot be bought directly by EU retail clients because they often do not provide a suitable PRIIPs/KID document for European retail investors.
Alternatives
tastytrade is a known alternative, although I do not have practical experience with it myself. The OWS currently does not work there because it is built around the TWS/API from Interactive Brokers.
CapTrader and LYNX are well-known German resellers or introducing brokers using IBKR infrastructure. Advantage: German support and sometimes better reports. Disadvantage: usually much higher commissions.
Fee comparison
| Position | IB | CapTrader | LYNX |
|---|---|---|---|
| US option | about USD 0.25-0.65/contract | from USD 3.50/contract | USD 3.50/contract |
| EUREX option | about EUR 0.90-1.00/contract | from EUR 2.00/contract | EUR 2.00/contract |
| US stock | from about USD 0.0005-0.0035/share | from USD 0.01/share, min. USD 2 | USD 0.01/share, min. USD 5 |
| Europe stock/ETF | often around EUR 3/trade | from EUR 2/order | 0.14%, min. EUR 5.80 |
As of May 2026. Always check the current fee schedule before trading live.
Mentoring idea
I am currently not offering formal mentoring because I still work a full-time job. If there is serious interest, feel free to write to me at info@optionist.net and we can arrange an introductory conversation. In the medium term, I would of course like to share my experience with you.