Press Release
Use Volatility In Your Favor With Robinhood Options Trading In April, Volatility Index VIX Hit Highest Mark
–News Direct–
By Meg Flippin, Benzinga
Thanks to their large upside potential, many seasoned traders choose to trade options to play the markets. Fintechs like Robinhood have made accessing the market easier for seasoned traders to fine-tune their strategies, building based on their trading level.
With inflation remaining stubborn, the markets appearing to be waiting for the Federal Reserves next move on interest rates and the U.S. about to enter what is expected to be a polarizing presidential election, volatility has been high. In April, the VIX Index which Wall Street uses to gauge volatility in the market hit its highest level since late October 2023, when the Israel-Hamas conflict began. Year-to-date, the VIX Index is up more than 12%.
Options Abound With Options Trading
While volatility may scare buy-and-hold investors, for active options traders, some look at it as an opportunity. After all, with options trading, investors can engage in a variety of diverse strategies that have the potential to work in all sorts of market conditions, whether it's speculating stocks will go up or down based on their bearish and bullish outlooks. Options are also cheaper than buying shares outright, creating leverage, which means the gains on your investment could be amplified as can losses. However, options expire, and you can lose your entire investment in a short period of time. Some strategies present a potential for substantial or even unlimited losses.
Then there are the hedging capabilities that come with options, which can help mitigate the dangers of high-risk, high-reward instruments. If an investor is worried a stock is going to fall they can purchase puts that enable them to sell the stock at a strike price, regardless of where the stock falls prior to expiration of the option. The same cant be said of stocks. If shares tank, you dont have any downward protection other than to sell and limit your losses. However, if the stock goes up or doesnt move prior to expiration, the option will expire worthless and the loss is equal to the premium paid.
Leveling The Playing Field For Options Investors
Accessing options trading is getting even easier thanks to Robinhoods trading platform. Not only do customers get access to options but also advanced charts, including the ability to track and modify technical indicators such as moving average, relative strength index and moving average convergence divergence. Furthermore, there are no contract fees.*
Other powerful features of Robinhoods platform include the ability to save and monitor options contracts to see hypothetical returns and options rolling in which you can seamlessly adjust and extend your positions. And lets not forget 24-hour support. If you have a question on your option strategy even in the wee hours of the morning, Robinhood has you covered.
Even retirement accounts and cash account holders can trade options with Robinhood. The same cant be said of some of Robinhoods rivals.
Robinhoods efforts to improve access are not surprising. For some time now, the company has been on a mission to level the playing field when it comes to investing by providing access to an array of investment and retirement products, keeping costs down and commissions at zero (other fees apply). Take Robinhood Gold for one example. Gold subscribers get 5% APY on uninvested cash in their brokerage account, a 1% boost on brokerage transfers and instant deposits.
None of this is lost on options traders, which is why that part of Robinhoods business is growing, and options traders are taking note. Robinhood is making moves to grow its market share even more. We want to be number one in the active trader market. So active traders are very important for us, Robinhood CEO Vladimir Tenev said in a recent interview. They care about very specific things like performance, pricing, user experience. And we're making lots of investments there both in the user experience and in new product innovations that other competitors don't offer, 24-hour market being a great example there.
Options trading is growing in popularity as regular retail investors learn its virtues. Robinhood wants to be a leader in the space and is pulling out all the stops to achieve that.
Featured photo by Nicholas Cappello on Unsplash.
Benzinga is a leading financial media and data provider, known for delivering accurate, timely, and actionable financial information to empower investors and traders.
This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice.
Disclaimer:
*There are no contract fees charged directly by Robinhood. However Robinhood does pass through certain fees charged by securities regulators and exchanges.
Commission-free trading of stocks, ETFs and options refers to $0 commissions for Robinhood Financial self-directed individual cash or margin brokerage accounts that trade U.S. listed securities and certain OTC securities electronically. Keep in mind, other fees such, Gold subscription fees, wire transfer fees, and paper statement fees may apply to your brokerage account. Please see Robinhood Financial's Fee Schedule to learn more.
Options trading entails significant risk and is not appropriate for all customers. Customers must read and understand the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options before engaging in any options trading strategies. Options transactions are often complex and may involve the potential of losing the entire investment in a relatively short period of time. Certain complex options strategies carry additional risk, including the potential for losses that may exceed the original investment amount.
Robinhood Financial does not guarantee favorable investment outcomes. The past performance of a security or financial product does not guarantee future results or returns. Customers should consider their investment objectives and risks carefully before investing in options. Because of the importance of tax considerations to all options transactions, the customer considering options should consult their tax advisor as to how taxes affect the outcome of each options strategy. Supporting documentation for any claims, if applicable, will be furnished upon request.
Rolling options does not ensure a profit or guarantee against a loss. An investor may also end up compounding their losses. By rolling out, the duration is extended, which can also increase risks as there's more time for the underlying security's price to move unfavorably.
One of the key downsides of options vs stocks is that options contracts expire over time. For puts, If the stock price is at or above the strike price, the option expires worthless, and you can lose the money you paid for the options contract.
Risk of VIX options:
The prices of VIX options can fluctuate significantly and thus increase the risk for investors.
The VIX is a synthetic value that is calculated on the basis of option prices. Investors who invest in VIX options should therefore be aware of the special features of this asset class.
In some market situations, the VIX and thus also the prices of VIX options may not move in the expected direction. This means that in some cases VIX options may not help to reduce the risk of a portfolio, but rather increase it.
VIX options generally have a term of only a few months and are therefore more suitable for short-term trading.
Contact Details
Benzinga
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View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/use-volatility-in-your-favor-with-robinhood-options-trading-in-april-volatility-index-vix-hit-highest-mark-337548674
Benzinga
COMTEX_453285838/2655/2024-06-03T09:43:17
About Author
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
Press Release
Wall Street Veteran Peter Larsen Unveils ‘Quantum Scalp’ to Bridge Institutional-Retail Divide
Retail Divide
Peter Larsen, a veteran quantitative trader with over three decades of experience on Wall Street, has emerged from retirement to launch Quantum Scalp, a new financial technology firm aimed at democratizing access to institutional-grade algorithmic trading.
The company announced today that it has secured $100 million in private capital to build a systematic trading platform designed to provide retail investors with tools previously exclusive to investment banks and hedge funds. The funding round included participation from family offices, former industry colleagues, and a sovereign wealth fund.
A Career Built on Market Microstructure
Larsen’s career parallels the evolution of modern electronic trading. He began at Bear Stearns in 1993 as a junior market analyst, joining during the early shift from floor trading to screen-based execution. Throughout the 1990s, Larsen developed statistical models for fixed-income desks, working within the cohort of quantitative analysts who fundamentally rewired the industry’s approach to risk and execution.
In 2001, Larsen moved to Lehman Brothers as a consultant within the firm’s Quantitative Proprietary Trading division. During his tenure, he served as a lead analyst on the Penn-Lehman Automated Trading Project (PLAT). The initiative, a collaboration between Lehman Brothers and the University of Pennsylvania, developed one of the earliest realistic simulators for testing automated trading strategies. PLAT remains a cited reference in academic and industry circles regarding market microstructure and algorithmic execution.
Larsen retired in 2006, prior to the financial crisis of 2008. For the next fifteen years, he remained active in an advisory capacity, monitoring the widening disparity between institutional and retail trading capabilities.
Addressing the Intelligence Gap
According to Larsen, the post-2010 retail trading revolution reduced costs through commission-free trading and fractional shares but failed to close the “intelligence gap.”
“Cheap access without an edge isn’t democratization,” Larsen said in an interview at Wyoming. “It often results in capital flowing more efficiently toward institutions that possess superior data and execution tools. Our objective is parity.”
The catalyst for Larsen’s return to the market was the advancement of artificial intelligence and optimization technologies between 2022 and 2024. Larsen posits that modern transformer-based forecasting and hybrid systems now allow for the compression of capabilities that previously required large quantitative teams.
Technology and Compliance
Despite the company name, Quantum Scalp does not utilize quantum computing hardware. Larsen was explicit in clarifying the technology stack to avoid investor confusion.
“The system is quantum-inspired,” Larsen stated. “We utilize optimization algorithms derived from quantum mechanics, such as simulated annealing variants and tensor-network methods, running on classical GPU infrastructure. Combined with AI-driven signal processing, this allows for portfolio construction and signal weighting at a latency and scale that was not feasible five years ago.”
The platform operates on three distinct layers:
1. Signal Layer: Ingests market data, alternative data, and macroeconomic indicators to generate short-horizon forecasts.
2. Optimization Layer: Applies quantum-inspired algorithms to weight signals and construct positions under risk constraints.
3. Execution Layer: Manages order routing and slippage, leveraging methodologies originally developed during the PLAT project.
Industry Skepticism and Regulatory Landscape The launch comes amidst heightened scrutiny of AI-driven retail trading platforms. Regulators in the United States and Europe have increased oversight regarding algorithmic advice given to non-institutional investors. Critics note that previous attempts to democratize quantitative tools, such as early robo-advisors and AI trading startups, have often struggled to match backtested performance in live markets.
Larsen acknowledges the risks inherent in the sector. “We are not selling a guaranteed return,” he said. “Anyone claiming to sell a ‘money printer’ is misrepresenting the product. We are providing the same class of tools, analysis quality, and execution discipline utilized by major desks. How that utility is employed remains the responsibility of the investor.”
A Second Act
At 75, Larsen represents a rare profile in the fintech sector, which is typically dominated by younger founders. Colleagues describe the venture as consistent with his long-standing focus on market structure integrity.
The firm plans to begin rolling out access to the platform later this year, subject to regulatory compliance and final testing phases. For Larsen, the venture is a corrective measure to a career spent building advantages for the institutional side of the market.
“I worked for the house for thirty years,” Larsen said. “I intend to provide the players with a system that levels the field.”
About Author
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
California, USA, 3rd May 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — Galatea, the rapidly growing digital reading platform developed by Inkitt, has surpassed 100 five-star reviews, marking a significant milestone in its continued rise among global readers. The achievement highlights strong user satisfaction and reinforces Galatea’s position as more than just a reading app. As part of Inkitt’s broader story-to-screen ecosystem, Galatea plays a central role in transforming reader-driven content into multi-format entertainment, extending all the way to television through CandyJar.
This milestone arrives at a time when audiences are actively seeking more flexible and engaging ways to consume stories. Galatea has responded by offering a format that aligns with modern habits while still preserving the emotional depth that readers expect from strong storytelling.
A Milestone That Reflects Real Reader Loyalty
Reaching over 100 five-star reviews signals more than short-term success. It reflects consistent reader satisfaction and an ability to maintain engagement over time. Users frequently highlight how seamlessly the platform fits into their daily routines, whether they are reading during short breaks, while commuting, or winding down at night.
This accessibility has helped Galatea build a loyal user base. Readers are not simply downloading the app and leaving. They return regularly to continue stories, explore new releases, and stay connected to ongoing narratives. The growing number of five-star reviews demonstrates that users are finding lasting value in the experience.
In an environment where attention is divided across multiple platforms, this level of retention is notable. Galatea has managed to create a product that readers continue to engage with long after their first interaction.
A Reading Experience Designed for Modern Habits
Galatea has built its platform around the idea that reading should adapt to the reader. Instead of presenting long chapters that require uninterrupted time, the platform delivers stories in episodic segments that are easy to consume. This structure makes reading more approachable and encourages consistent engagement.
The platform also offers multiple formats within a single story. Readers can move seamlessly between ebook and audiobook modes, allowing them to switch based on their situation. In addition, Galatea includes chat-style storytelling, where narratives unfold through text-message-like conversations. This format introduces variety and reflects how people naturally communicate today.
Audio is another defining feature of the platform. Full narration and carefully designed sound elements support the storytelling experience and add depth to each scene. Rather than acting as a background feature, audio plays an active role in shaping how stories are experienced.
Together, these features create a reading environment that feels flexible, engaging, and suited to modern lifestyles.
A Story-to-Screen Pipeline That Sets It Apart
Galatea’s growth is closely tied to Inkitt’s larger story-to-screen model, which differentiates it from traditional reading platforms. The process begins on Inkitt, where writers share their work and reader engagement determines which stories gain traction. The most promising titles are then published on Galatea, where they reach a wider audience in enhanced formats.
From there, the most successful stories move into television development on CandyJar. This structured pipeline allows content to evolve naturally, moving from written storytelling to screen adaptation based on proven audience demand.
This model offers a clear pathway for writers. Instead of navigating uncertain publishing routes, authors can see their work progress step by step, guided by reader response. It also ensures that the stories adapted for television already have a built-in audience, reducing risk and increasing the likelihood of success.
For readers, the pipeline adds another layer of engagement. Stories they discover on Galatea have the potential to expand into visual formats, creating a deeper connection to the content. This continuity strengthens the overall experience and sets the platform apart in a crowded market.
Content That Reflects What Readers Actually Want
Galatea’s content strategy is built on real user behavior. By leveraging data from Inkitt, the platform identifies stories that already resonate with readers. This ensures that the content available on Galatea aligns closely with audience preferences.
Genres such as romance, fantasy, thriller, drama, and Young Adult continue to perform strongly, reflecting consistent demand across a wide range of readers. At the same time, the platform introduces new voices and perspectives, maintaining a balance between familiar themes and fresh ideas.
This approach reduces the uncertainty often associated with content selection. Instead of relying on predictions, Galatea uses measurable engagement to guide its decisions. The result is a library that feels both curated and relevant.
For writers, this system creates meaningful opportunities. Success is determined by reader response, allowing emerging authors to gain visibility and build an audience based on the strength of their work.
Listening to Feedback and Improving the Experience
The increase in five-star reviews also reflects Galatea’s responsiveness to its users. Feedback plays a direct role in shaping the platform’s development. Readers frequently mention features such as customizable settings, smooth navigation, and the ability to switch between formats without interruption.
These elements contribute to a user-friendly experience that appeals to a broad audience. Small improvements, driven by real feedback, continue to enhance the platform’s usability.
Galatea’s ability to adapt has become a key strength. As user expectations evolve, the platform remains focused on refining its features while maintaining the core aspects that readers value.
Meeting the Demand for Flexible Storytelling
Modern readers are looking for flexibility, and Galatea has positioned itself to meet that demand. The platform allows users to engage with stories in different ways, depending on their preferences and schedules.
Whether through short reading sessions, audiobook listening, or interactive chat-based formats, users can choose how they want to experience each story. This adaptability makes it easier to stay engaged without disrupting daily routines.
The ability to move between formats also adds to the overall experience. A reader can begin a story in text form, continue it as an audiobook, and explore chat-style interactions within the same narrative. This level of flexibility keeps the platform dynamic and appealing.
Building a Community Around Stories
As Galatea continues to grow, it is also building a strong and engaged community. The increasing number of five-star reviews reflects not only individual satisfaction but also a shared enthusiasm among users.
Readers actively recommend the platform, share feedback, and contribute to its visibility. This organic growth has played an important role in expanding Galatea’s reach.
For writers, this community creates valuable opportunities for connection and recognition. Authors can engage with readers directly and see how their work resonates in real time. This interaction strengthens the relationship between creators and their audience.
Each positive review adds to the platform’s credibility and encourages new users to explore what it has to offer.
Looking Ahead
Surpassing 100 five-star reviews marks an important milestone, but it also signals continued growth. Galatea remains focused on expanding its content library, improving its features, and strengthening its role within Inkitt’s story-to-screen ecosystem.
The integration with CandyJar creates new possibilities for content development, allowing stories to move beyond the app and reach wider audiences. This connection positions Galatea as a key part of a larger entertainment strategy rather than a standalone platform.
As more readers discover the app, the platform is expected to continue building momentum and attracting new users. The steady increase in positive feedback suggests that it is meeting the expectations of its audience and adapting effectively to changing preferences.
Conclusion
Galatea’s achievement of over 100 five-star reviews reflects its ability to deliver a reading experience that aligns with modern expectations. By combining flexible formats, data-driven content, and a clear path from story to screen through CandyJar, the platform offers something distinct in the digital reading space.
As part of Inkitt’s broader vision, Galatea represents more than a reading app. It is a central piece of a storytelling ecosystem where ideas begin with readers and have the potential to grow into larger forms of entertainment. With strong user engagement and a clear direction for growth, Galatea continues to establish itself as a platform that understands both storytelling and the people who enjoy it.
For more information, please feel free to visit https://galatea.com/
About Author
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
Milestone has launched Project : Tsavkisi, a residential land-plot development situated on a hillside in the Tsavkisi area, just an 18-minute drive from Tbilisi, Georgia. The project comprises 63 individual land plots, each offering panoramic views of the surrounding forest and the city.
Tbilisi, Georgia, 2nd May 2026 – Milestone has launched Project : Tsavkisi, a residential land-plot development situated on a hillside in the Tsavkisi area, just an 18-minute drive from Tbilisi, Georgia. The project comprises 63 individual land plots, each offering panoramic views of the surrounding forest and the city.
Project : Tsavkisi is a thoughtfully planned community with a unified architectural identity, seamlessly integrated into the natural landscape. It is designed for those who wish to build a residence in a scenic setting while remaining just minutes away from central Tbilisi.
The presale is now open.
The development spans 10 hectares, with 24,000 m² dedicated to curated shared public spaces, including children’s playgrounds, sports courts, and forest walking paths. The project includes professionally maintained shared areas and green zones, along with 24/7 secured territory.
The architectural vision of Project : Tsavkisi is rooted in a landscape-oriented approach. To create a unique living environment, the project has developed a set of architectural guidelines – a Design Code, where every element is thoughtfully connected to the next. The Code extends from façade materials and roofing guidelines to color selection. A recommended palette of muted, earth-derived tones is designed to maintain visual harmony with the natural landscape. The project adopts a low-density development strategy that maintains visual openness and integrates seamlessly with the natural terrain, avoiding high retaining walls and other intrusive structural elements.
Homeowners are offered the flexibility to develop individual designs in accordance with the Design Code or to select from a catalogue of nine pre-designed residential houses. They have been created in collaboration with established architectural studios, recognized for their experience in residential design and landscape-driven planning.
The project is designed for residents who lead active urban lives but seek a home in a quiet, natural setting, without sacrificing their connection to the city. Project : Tsavkisi sets a benchmark for holistic suburban development, where each residence contributes to a unified architectural identity.
About Milestone
Milestone is a Georgian real estate development and management company based on innovative vision and ideas, defining environments for quality life. Expanding its portfolio, the company is currently developing a new residential project in the heart of Tbilisi, set to be introduced soon.
Media Contact
Organization: Milestone
Contact Person: Lasha Eliadze
Website: https://www.projecttsavkisi.ge/
Email:
info@milestone.ge
Contact Number: +995598399899
City: Tbilisi
Country:Georgia
Release id:44575
The post Milestone Launches Project : Tsavkisi, The First Design-Code Community Near Tbilisi appeared first on King Newswire. This content is provided by a third-party source.. King Newswire makes no warranties or representations in connection with it. King Newswire is a press release distribution agency and does not endorse or verify the claims made in this release. If you have any complaints or copyright concerns related to this article, please contact the company listed in the ‘Media Contact’ section
About Author
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
Wall Street Veteran Peter Larsen Unveils ‘Quantum Scalp’ to Bridge Institutional-Retail Divide
Galatea by Inkitt Celebrates 100+ Five-Star Reviews Amid Rising Popularity
Milestone Launches Project : Tsavkisi, The First Design-Code Community Near Tbilisi
Benzinga Money Article Discusses How to Become Part of the 12% of Retirees Who Have Achieved the Recommended $550,000 Minimum Retirement Savings Threshold
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