"Uncertainty is just part of the game": Dominik Mayr's investing rules

Dominik Mayr, Head of Freedom24 in the DACH region, has a strategic mindset as well as a deep understanding of financial technology and capital markets. Dominik told Oninvest about his investment rules.

What are you investing in and why?

I prefer to use options as my primary investment vehicle. Although options are considered risky, with a disciplined and strategic approach they can reduce risk and increase returns. I like their flexibility and precision in managing risk and exposure.

Do you remember your first investment? How did it go?

My first investment was in 2008, when I opened an account with a forex broker and traded EUR/USD. Against the backdrop of the 2008 crisis, I lost all my money in a few days. It was a sobering experience.

What's one thing you definitely wouldn't buy again?

Probably speculative penny-stocks (cheap stocks). When I first started investing, I was attracted by the prospect of quick profits, but I quickly realized: HYIP is not a strategy. Without fundamentals and liquidity, it is a pure casino.

Who do you trust when you make decisions?

When it comes to something really important, I rely on my own judgment. Conviction cannot be delegated. You can listen to others for the sake of evaluating different perspectives, but at the end of the day, it's your money, your deal, your decision.

If you could only invest in one idea for 10 years - what would it be?

I would invest in the ongoing democratization of financial markets. Freedom24 is already contributing by making global investing accessible to all. The combination of tokenization, artificial intelligence and instant settlement will change the way we trade and hold assets.

When was the last time you made a mistake - and what did you realize from it?

I'm wrong quite often. It's part of life as an active investor. One of the key lessons is to make decisions quickly, objectively and without emotion.

Are you more about strategy or intuition? Why?

Definitely about strategy. A structured approach with clear entry, exit and risk parameters helps you stay consistent and sleep well at night.

Which of the famous investors are you closer to?

Warren Buffett - and not just because we have the same birthday. I admire his philosophy and try to apply his approaches: understanding what I own and why, rather than reacting to market noise.

What does an investor fear when the screen goes out?

Ideally, nothing if the portfolio is structured correctly. I open positions this way and diversify my risk so that I always know my best and worst outcomes. With options, I determine my maximum loss in advance, which greatly reduces anxiety. Preparation takes away fear and uncertainty is just part of the game.

What pisses you off the most in the investment environment?

Lack of financial literacy and critical thinking. Many investors chase trendy stories or social media hype instead of understanding the basics. Easy access to markets is not accompanied by education, and this often leads to poor results.

Do you have an investment talisman? Something you hold on to, even if logic is already Ma.

Yeah, my first apartment. As a student, I managed to save up for a down payment, and over the years it has more than doubled in value.

What did you spend the profits from your most successful deal on?

I reinvested most of the profits, but allowed myself one weakness - piloting lessons.

What has to happen for you to cache everything?

For that to happen, something would have to happen that would undermine the very integrity of the financial system, not just a market correction. But even then, I would prefer to hedge or reduce positions rather than go completely cached.

Do you have guilty pleasure in investing? (For example, "taking crypto overnight.")

Sometimes I catch myself checking or even trading futures late at night. Fortunately, they trade 24/5. This keeps me energized and allows me to feel the rhythm of the market even outside of normal hours.

This article was AI-translated and verified by a human editor