Hello, fellow cryptocurrency traders. Today, I would like to introduce a great option trader named "Manchuria Brother" (@AntonLaVay) who is good at buy-side strategies. If you are in the options circle of platform X, you must have seen his posts. This veteran option trader has attracted many loyal fans with his sharp market insights and concise and humorous writing style. Today, let's take a look at how he "rides the wind and waves" in the cryptocurrency circle and the US stock market, and give some tips to friends who want to learn his style.
1. Who is Manchuria? First, let’s look at his trading profile!
He is an options trading blogger on the X platform, focusing on US stocks and index options. His content style is concise, informative, and occasionally self-deprecating (such as "I am a paper hand").
Although he did not disclose much personal information, judging from his posts, this guy has a keen sense of the market, extensive trading experience, and strong trading logic.
His focus is mainly on high-volatility stocks (such as technology stocks) and index options (such as SPY, QQQ), and he is particularly sensitive to market sentiment, changes in implied volatility (IV) and macro events (such as tariffs and interest rates).
His posts not only share trading ideas, but also often contain technical analysis and options data, which can be described as "full of practical information". More importantly, he is happy to interact with fans and answer questions, which gives people a sense of community interaction of "taking everyone to fly together".
His trading profile is probably: a short-term options player who prefers US stocks and indices. His options trading style is often on the buy side, straightforward and data-driven. His content is targeted at retail traders and options enthusiasts. He has a keen insight into volatility and event-driven opportunities.
2. Trading characteristics: short-term, flexible, volatility driven
By analyzing his X posts, we can conclude that his trading style has the following distinct characteristics.
1. Short-term trading, paper trading mentality
Manzhouge is a typical "short-term trader". He prefers to capture market opportunities within a few days to a week, with a short trading cycle and decisive entry and exit.
In one post, he mentioned two profit-taking styles - "paper hand" (quick profit taking) and "pattern" (long-term holding), and frankly admitted that he prefers "paper hand". What does this mean? He pursues efficiency in trading, takes profits and runs, and does not fight to the end.
This short-term style is particularly suitable for option buyers. After all, the time value of options decays quickly, and if you delay too long, you will be easily "killed by time". He may act quickly during earnings season, technological breakthroughs or major news, such as buying a call/put option and withdrawing after making a profit.
2. Volatility is his “barometer”
Options traders know that implied volatility (IV) is the core variable of trading. His sensitivity to IV is "textbook-level".
In a post in April 2025, he mentioned that when the forward IV drops, selling forward options is less cost-effective and buying may be more cost-effective. This sentence reveals his logic: he will decide whether to buy options (low IV, betting on rising volatility) or sell options (high IV, earning premium) based on the IV level.
This volatility-driven thinking allows him to accurately grasp the ups and downs of market sentiment. For example, once the tariff policy is released and market volatility intensifies, he may immediately deploy a straddle strategy to bet on a big price move. Whether it is short-term speculation or mid-term layout, IV is always his "navigator".
3. Risk management is an iron rule
Although his short-term operation style is aggressive, his risk management is not ambiguous at all. He often emphasizes discipline, such as setting clear profit and loss points to avoid emotional trading.
When discussing profit taking, he mentioned the "paper hand" mentality, which is actually a reminder to everyone: Don't be greedy, run away when you earn the expected return. This is especially important for retail investors, after all, in the options market, you may lose everything if you are not careful.
He also prefers multi-leg combination strategies, reducing the high risk of single-leg options through spreads or hedging. This "steady profit" thinking shows that he is not a gambler, but a planned hunter.
4. Data and technical analysis go hand in hand
He never makes trading decisions based on his intuition. He often mentions option Greek letters (like Vega, Delta), which shows that he is familiar with option chain data. At the same time, he also has in-depth observations on market sentiment and technical signals (such as support and resistance levels).
Although there are not many charts in the post, it can be inferred from his language that he may use indicators such as RSI and MACD to assist in judgment. For example, if he sees that the IV of a certain stock is low and the technical side is at a key support level, he may decisively buy call options to bet on a rebound.
5. Be flexible and adaptable
His greatest characteristic is flexibility. His strategy is not static, but changes with the market environment.
For example, when IV is high, he may sell a straddle to earn a premium, and when IV is low, he may buy a straddle to take advantage of volatility; when the market is volatile, he may use an iron condor, and when the trend is clear, he may use a vertical spread. This ability to "counterattack" is the key to his ability to navigate the complex market with ease.
3. How to learn his style? Advice for retail investors
1. Learn to read IV and seize volatility opportunities
Volatility is the lifeblood of options. To learn about options, you must first understand implied volatility (IV). When IV is low, consider buying a straddle or straddle to bet on volatility; when IV is high, you can try selling an iron condor to earn a premium.
For example, you can spend 10 minutes every day looking at the IV Rank of the target stock. If it is below 30, consider buying, and if it is above 70, consider selling.
2. Short-term discipline, control greed
His "paper hand" mentality deserves praise. The options market fluctuates quickly, and if you delay too long, you will easily be trapped by the time value. Set clear stop-profit and stop-loss, such as running away when you make 50% and cutting decisively when you lose 20%. Don't always think about "waiting a little longer", otherwise you may go from making a profit to a liquidation. **
Write down your profit and loss target before each trade, such as "I will buy this call and sell it when I make 100% profit." Use a trading diary to record and review your discipline.
3. Use multiple combination strategies to reduce risks
Although single-leg options are exciting, they are also risky. He likes to use vertical spreads and iron condors. Retail investors can start with these. For example, a bull call spread is cheaper than buying a call directly, and you won't go bankrupt if you lose. After you are familiar with it, try straddles or calendar spreads and gradually upgrade.
4. Test the waters with a small position and gradually increase the position
Options have high leverage, and his flexible style shows that he will not go all-in easily. Retail investors should be more cautious and test the buyer's strategy with a small position (such as 5% of the account) each time, and then increase the position after gaining confidence. Don't go all-in at the beginning, otherwise a wave of fluctuations may make you "doubt your life".
Beginners can make only 1-2 transactions per week, control the risk of each transaction to 3-5% of the account, and observe the monthly rate of return.
In short, Manchu's trading style is like a mirror, reflecting the essence of the option buyer's market. His short-term speculation, volatility sensitivity and risk management have given us a lot of inspiration. Of course, there is no "lying win" formula in the options market. If you want to copy his success, you have to practice more and review more. Learning from him is not about copying strategies, but learning the thinking of "countering each move" and the decisiveness of "taking the money and running". The market is always the best teacher.
