I noticed that many people are trying to identify the best trader in the world, but the answer really depends on the period and the context. Let me share some figures that have truly marked the history of the markets.

George Soros is probably the name that comes to mind first when talking about legendary traders. This guy literally broke the Bank of England in 1992 — an operation that earned him over a billion dollars in profit. His genius lies in his ability to identify flaws in global markets and exploit economic trends before everyone else notices.

But if we talk about pure performance in the stock markets, Mark Minervini is clearly in the conversation for the best trader. In 1997, he won the Traders’ Championship in the United States with a return of 155%. And you know what? He did it again in 2021 with a 334.8% return. That’s the kind of results that make traders dream. His method? Sharp technical analysis and pattern recognition in the markets.

Jim Simmons, on the other hand, comes from a different universe — he’s a mathematician who applied his skills to trading. Over 40 years, he maintained an annualized return of 66%. His approach was revolutionary: he looked for hidden patterns in data and developed algorithmic models to profit from them. He’s truly a pioneer.

Ed Seykota is another fundamental name, especially as a pioneer of algorithmic trading. He posted an average annual return of 60% over 30 years, demonstrating impressive consistency. His focus was on risk management and trend following — the solid foundations of the world’s best trader.

Ray Dalio completes this portrait. Founder of Bridgewater Associates, one of the largest hedge funds in the world, he focused on long-term trends and risk management. Beyond markets, he also invested heavily in education and helping disaster victims.

What’s interesting is that each of these traders has their own philosophy and approach. There’s no single recipe to become the best trader in the world — it’s more about a combination of discipline, innovation, and a deep understanding of markets.