The European broker, , participated in the event along with key industry players like Goldman Sachs, J.P Morgan, and others. The year 2024 was remarkable for them: the company not only took part in key discussions but also demonstrated impressive results — 73% profitability on Bloomberg. Moreover, Mind Money was invited to the main Christmas event in the Principality — Bal de Noël, where meetings and discussions were also held. Today, we will speak with , CEO of Mind Money, and , an analyst from the London School of Economics, on how Mind Money has achieved such success in the field.

Julia, Anastasia, thank you for joining us today. At SuperInvestor, where you have recently participated in the panel “Private wealth: the next frontier for private markets?” there was a focus on trust management and its role in private wealth. How do you see this model evolving over the next five years?

Julia: Thank you for inviting us! The financial world is always evolving with new ideas and demands appearing. Trust management, for example, is becoming more personalized and flexible than ever before. We’re seeing a real for customized portfolio management services, especially from ultra-wealthy clients.

The total assets under management (AUM) in Europe have grown to nearly €30 trillion, making it the fastest-growing segment. With €20 trillion managed for institutional investors and €9 trillion for private investors, almost a third of this market is controlled by third-party asset managers like our company.  

The overall wealth of Europe's adult population has been steadily increasing since 2010. Combined with advancements in financial technology and transparency, this growth enables the creation of new high-yield products and services, including lowering the entry threshold for private investors to access products that were previously available only to institutions or ultra-wealthy clients. At the same time, performance remains the most significant factor, weighing over 47% in the selection of an asset manager.

Speaking of the tax legislation, previously, tax changes occurred once a year, which gave investors time to adapt. Today, changes in tax rules occur more often, and regulations become stricter. Some scientists even that this trend helps to prevent future global crises. The laws of the countries are also being harmonized. Therefore, to effectively manage private capital, it is not enough just to respond to changes — you need to be one step ahead.

At Mind Money we have created a comprehensive database to track these legal changes, both those that have already entered into force and those that are under development. Moreover, we are proud to have connections with leading international law firms based in Cyprus, Monaco and London. Cooperation with them allows us to offer our clients comprehensive solutions to optimize tax risks and select optimal jurisdictions.

At SuperInvestor, you also joined a discussion on developing the private equity market, particularly in the venture capital space. A significant portion of these companies is focused on artificial intelligence and ESG initiatives. How do you see these trends shaping the future of private equity?

Anastasia: Modern private capital companies are increasingly aligning with ESG trends, recognizing the opportunities presented by sustainable development. We are currently in the Sixth Wave of Innovation, defined by advancements in digital, sustainable, and human-centered technologies. These innovations highlight the market’s trajectory, which we closely track through events like SuperInvestor. The composition and the quality of the companies and sectors at such gatherings offers a clear reflection of the demand shaping the venture landscape.

Our approach to identifying trends combines a deep analysis of market and policy signals. We examine government support programs — grants funding early-stage research and subsidized loans driving large-scale implementation. Additionally, we track corporate acquisitions of startups, focusing on the strategies prioritized by major players. By aligning these insights with economic viability assessments and corporate innovation agendas, we gain a comprehensive understanding of emerging opportunities.

At Mind Money, this systematic methodology enables us to balance profitability with responsibility, ensuring alignment with global trends and investor expectations.

You shared with us that there is a great interest in artificial intelligence in the industry. Can you tell me more about how you use AI at Mind Money? 

Anastasia: Sure. We actively monitor the development of technologies, especially in the fields of artificial intelligence and big data analysis. The use of advanced data analysis methods allows us to respond quickly to changes in market conditions.

As an analyst, I see firsthand how AI enhances our workflows. It’s great for tasks like preliminary analysis and collecting complex data. It’s also invaluable for tracking cross-border payments and adapting to frequent changes in systems like , which AI helps us with, ensuring compliance while maintaining efficiency. However, it’s important to note that AI still cannot replace human thinking. Our expertise and oversight are still critical to making it all work seamlessly. 

Mind Money has attracted significant attention this year with an impressive 73% return on Bloomberg. In one of your interviews, you mentioned that a notable aspect of this success is leveraging market volatility. Could you explain how you manage this?

Julia: Trading on commodity markets, where volatility is an important factor, has given us the opportunity to achieve such a result. We believe that volatility is not only a risk but also a chance. To be ahead, strategies should be antifragile, meaning they have to be able to perform both during the ups and downs. They also combine fundamental and quantitative analysis. The inclusion of the weather data model in our strategies has also played a big role in achieving this effect.

Thanks to this result reflected on Bloomberg Terminal under FIGI BBG007NNY8M9, we have already received over 30 inquiries from family offices and several fund-of-funds regarding collaboration terms. In fact, over the past 5 years, we have consistently achieved positive results (average profitability of 27%), with no losing years since 2019. However, this year is still particularly special due to this impressive result of 73%

Speaking about this weather data model, I must admit, I was surprised—it’s not something you often hear about in the financial sector. Could you share how this innovative tool helps you to handle the volatility of the commodity market?

Julia:
This weather model is one of the most important innovations for us at Mind Money. 

To ensure it’s as precise and effective as possible, we collaborated with leading scientists from institutions like Oxford and Cambridge. These projects are led by Alexey Afanassievskiy, our executive director and a recognized expert in AI and data analytics, and Igor Isaev, who heads our analytical department, who are also Doctors of Science. Their expertise has been absolutely key to making this a success.

We use weather data collected from different resources, including satellites and weather stations, to forecast how climate change may affect the production and supply of goods. 

For example, sudden temperature changes in key regions of gas production or agricultural crops can significantly affect the cost of these goods. The model helps us to take such factors into account in advance in our investment strategies, minimising risks and increasing profitability. 

This sounds indeed unique. Can you give specific examples of how your model has helped optimise investment decisions?

Anastasia: Certainly. One great example is how we use satellite data and weather models to track hurricanes on the Gulf Coast. By analysing the damage to LNG production and transportation, we can predict how it will affect gas prices in places like Asia and Europe. This detailed insight helps us make smart investment decisions, especially in those unpredictable, volatile markets. 

When market participants initially misjudged the hurricane's trajectory and its impact, leading to a spike in prices, our weather models indicated that the hurricane’s development would have different consequences. This allowed us to anticipate a price decline and capitalize on the correction as prices returned to previous levels. Some of our traders even opened short positions, profiting as the market corrected and prices returned to previous levels. It’s all about having the right information at the right time, and that’s what leads to really strong results.

Looking ahead, Mind Money has already established itself as a leader with innovative strategies. As we come to the end of this discussion, I’d like to ask: where do you see your company in the next five years?

Julia: After 5 years, our goal isn’t just to maintain our leadership in commodity market analysis and trading — it’s to build on the results we’ve already achieved. To do that, we’re focusing on deepening our understanding of commodity relationships and enhancing the accuracy of our predictions, especially through our weather models. 

One of the key steps in achieving this goal will be the expansion of our scientific center in Sophia-Antipolis, which many scientists call the "Silicon Valley of Europe." We will continue to actively work with big data, focusing on its processing, storage and analysis, using advanced quantitative analysis methods that will be integrated with basic research to create more accurate and reliable models for trading and forecasting.

An important area will be the study of consumer preferences, the interchangeability of goods, and the impact of new technologies on the development of the industry. We will analyze not only the timing of the introduction of new technologies, but also their possible impact on the depth of penetration and changes in the landscape of consumption of goods, which will give us a strategic advantage in the long term. Together with leading research centers, we strive to contribute to the sixth global transition to what Carlota Perez calls the next technological revolution.

Of course, we continue to develop our trading infrastructure, but here, we rely on our first-class partners who are part of the first three and already have all the necessary technological resources that meet the highest requirements of both our customers and the requirements of all regulatory authorities.