Mentoring
Mentoring
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.
Rough fee orientation
| 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 have a first conversation. In the medium term, I would of course like to share my experience with you.