Crypto Trader (Technical/Quant)

Applications without a cover letter as stated above will not be considered. 

The Institute of Free Technology is a startup studio with several internal startups laying the foundations for a freer internet upon which communities can evolve into network states.

We're seeking a Trader (or Quant with trading aspirations) to join our Investment team at IFT, focusing on liquid (listed) crypto markets. Traders begin by contributing to team strategies and dedicating time to developing their approach. Successful candidates can manage an allocated slice of our liquid token fund for 3-6 months (depending on demonstrated ability) while benefiting from the small but collaborative team of investment professionals.

The IFT Investment team 

Manages a portion of IFT’s Treasury capital, split into

• passive strategies
• active strategies, including a liquid token trading fund (where this role sits)

Investment Team Structure

• Report to: Investment Manager
• Team: Investment Manager + 2 other Associates (each focused on different areas; fundamental research, global macro)
• Environment: Collaborative support, while maintaining strategy independence

Requirements (Please verify before applying!)

1. Combined 3 years total trading experience across any of Personal trading, Traditional finance or Crypto markets.
2. Experience in one or more:
1. Directional trading (momentum, mean reversion, event-driven)
2. Market-neutral strategies (basis trades, options, simple arbitrage)
3. Other consistently profitable approaches across market cycles
3. Minimum 3 years of Involvement & interest in crypto, ideally trading/investing in your capacity
4. Strategy backtesting experience (e.g. TradingView, Python, RealTest) & trading approach aligned with our higher timeframe focus (0-7 trades monthly, executed on normal CEX accounts & DEX’s)
5. Bachelor's degree in Finance, Investments, or related field

Responsibilities

50% Team and Business support (we’re a small team and need to be hands-on with our own strategies)

• Team project work e.g. Backtest indicators, and their impact on crypto majors. Create & maintain a dashboard of live indicators, used by the investment team as data input for investment decisions across the treasury
• Internal investment queries and analysis 
• Reporting on performance & risk management for your own strategies
• Internal operations setting up venues, accounts, wallets 
• Contribute to team investment debates around opportunities & risks
• Collaborate with the broader investment team to enhance fund performance

50% of your time on your own trading & strategy implementation

• Design, test and refine your trading strategies across crypto markets
• Build out any systems, processes and skillsets required to improve your results
• Generate consistent alpha while maintaining responsible risk management
• Document your investment learnings and progress 

Other responsibilities:

• Maintain detailed trading records and performance metrics
• Monitor and manage position risk and portfolio exposure
• Provide regular performance and risk analytics
• Contribute to team strategy discussions and market analysis 

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base pay $80-100k 
• A discretionary team bonus, tied to the Teams outperformance of ETH benchmarks. 
• Flexible & autonomous role with the space & support for you to build out your own strategy over 1 year
• If your strategy can demonstrably earn alpha: 
• Discretionary capital allocation from 3-6months (based on demonstrated ability to outperform)
• A high level of freedom to implement your own trading strategies (within risk & operational limits)
• An opportunity to build your own track record, as an asset for your future career

Hiring process

1. Introduction call with the Talent team
2. Interview with the Investment Analyst
3. Interview with the CFO
4. Paid project (2-3 hours of work)
5. Interview co-founder

Note: A background check might be required for this role.