Jacob Amaral
Algorithmic day-trader building bots in public.
Jacob Amaral runs a YouTube channel (33.5K subscribers, 373 videos) focused on algorithmic and automated trading, with a heavy focus on equity options, SPY contracts, and futures. His core editorial format is "build with me," live coding sessions, bot demos, and strategy walkthroughs. He maintains a public GitHub presence (Jake0303) and a learning site at codealgotrading.com, which together position him as a credible practitioner in the small but loyal algo-day-trading niche.
His path started in computer programming rather than finance. After a few years in traditional software roles, he founded his own software agency, where one of his clients eventually became his current employer. He founded WeTradeHQ, an online marketplace he described as "analyzing futures markets to find an edge," and ran it from 2018 to January 2024 out of Barrie, Ontario. Since January 2024 he has worked as a Computer Systems Analyst in quant research at CSCB Management in Miami, Florida, researching and validating systematic trading signals in US futures markets. His channel content stacks algorithmic trading, trading bots, day trading, and quantitative strategies, with a technical audience: people who can read Python, understand brokerage APIs, and want infrastructure rather than market commentary.
Interview
How did you originally get into quant trading, how did it all start?
Odd how I got into it, I went to school for computer programming. Had a couple 9-5's then started my own software agency. Friends got into trading, then I learned about quant/algo trading on Youtube. Also, eventually one of my clients was the firm I work at now.
What changed in your approach to trading when you moved from running your own business to working at a company?
Biggest change was risk management and keeping the capital you already have, obviously for algo trading you have to take risks but setting limits on risk was what I learned.
Walk us through your SPY 0-DTE bot, how is it built and what's the logic behind it?
I will have to dig on this, I don't remember building a 0DTE haha. I'll get back to you on this.
What indicators or signals do you think are overrated in the quant community?
Single signals, like MACD crossovers are overrated.
How do you approach risk management in automated strategies?
Set a max drawdown limit in % of your capital for each strategy, helps you push through the tough times. Also every system having a catastrophic stop loss in $ as well.
How are AI workflows changing the way people do strategy research?
Automates your research pipeline allowing for more strategy research ideas per second. Really helps me test more strategies faster while maintaining good robustness practices.
Who should actually get into algo trading, and who definitely shouldn't?
If you are passionate about the markets and either want to build a second income or start your own fund. Don't get into it for the money or the fame.
