Insilico Terminal Podcast Episode 23 - Pedma

In this episode, Pedma shares his journey from bookkeeping and small-cap equities into fully systematic crypto trading. We dive deep into the difference between discretionary and quant approaches, why most retail trading is just momentum “seen through a potato,” and how real edge requires understanding why you’re getting paid for exposure. Pedma explains his long/short momentum models, carry strategies across perp DEXs, volatility targeting, and infrastructure for systematic execution. We also discuss alpha vs risk premium harvesting, prediction markets, perp DEX innovation, AI in trading, scaling capital, and the psychological impact of increasing size. The episode closes with practical advice: curate your network carefully, focus on useful knowledge, and understand that trading is a high-uncertainty profession that demands emotional control and long-term commitment.

00:00 Intro, Pedma's background, moving from equties to crypto and systematic trading  

06:27 Small-cap volume stats that first worked, float rotation, squeeze logic and data-driven edge 

09:48 Moving to crypto in 2021, momentum carryover, DAO forks and early volatility wins 

13:28 Biggest mistakes, complacency after success, drawdowns and overconfidence cycles 

16:31 Current strategies, long/short momentum, carry, volatility targeting and perp DEX farming 

23:23 Discretionary vs quant debate, alpha vs risk-premium harvesting, edge philosophy 

30:54 Execution, manual control, TWAP/slippage checks and infrastructure design 

45:10 Future of crypto, prediction markets, lifestyle, psychology at size and closing advice