Martin Krpenský
Investor, author of broker reviews and founder of FX Comparator
About me
I have been active in the financial markets since 2012. I started out on the Forex market, where I spent the first years — both the successes and the failures — of my career. With the rise of cryptocurrencies and the growth stories on the stock market, I broadened my portfolio and today I am active in the stock, ETF and cryptocurrency markets.
I focus on fundamental analysis, swing trading and long-term investment strategies. I have completed dozens of courses and webinars on trading and investing — as the saying goes, “so you don’t have to”. During my career I worked at the investment company Cyrrus, where I went through numerous training programs on the stock exchange, equities and ethical conduct in finance.
Unlike most of today’s financial influencers, I make an effort to provide quality content for free. But I am only human, so it is important to verify every piece of information from several sources — a rule I strictly follow myself.
Why trust me
Given the number of fraudulent offers online in the financial sector, I present only verified brokers with which I have personal experience and where I trade or have traded in the past. That is why every review contains not just a detailed assessment, but also warnings about possible risks and problems.
Hands-on testing
I have personally tested most brokers — a real deposit, fund withdrawal, checking the platform and customer support. I work exclusively with regulated companies (CySEC, FCA).
Real-world practice
I hold active accounts with the brokers eToro, XTB, Interactive Brokers and Fio e-Broker, which lets me offer a broad view of different platforms and their services.
My project
FX Comparator
An independent information portal about the financial markets, which I have run since 2013. Here you will find broker comparisons, educational articles on Forex, stocks, ETFs and cryptocurrencies, live quotes and reviews of trading platforms.
More than 1,500 published articles and reviews.
Areas of expertise
Important disclaimer
All information on this site reflects the author’s subjective opinions and is for information and education only. It does not constitute investment advice. Investing always carries risk — with CFD contracts, 61–89% of retail investor accounts lose money. Before you start trading, always verify information from several sources. Read our risk warning.
Latest articles by the author
Moving average: SMA, EMA and how to read it on a chart
A moving average smooths price and shows the trend. How SMA, EMA and WMA differ, how much lag they carry and what the data says about the golden cross.
Cboe files for 3x Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs
Six triple-leveraged funds, two of them tracking Bitcoin and Ethereum, are waiting for a verdict from the American regulator. The two-times versions t
Free Cash Flow: What It Is and How to Calculate It
Free cash flow shows how much cash a company has left after operations and investment. The formula, a worked example and why FCF can be dressed up.
XTB Investment Plans now with stocks and portfolios
Automated regular investing at XTB now handles individual shares alongside ETFs. Ready-made portfolios with different risk profiles and sector plans join the menu, and a plan starts from 15 GBP.
Oil trading and investing in oil: what to watch
Oil trading via CFDs, ETFs, futures and shares: what each instrument costs, why oil funds lag the price of crude and what really moves it.
Dividend: payout dates, tax and the ex-dividend date
A dividend is a share of profit, but the entitlement hangs on a single day. Four dates decide who gets paid, why the price drops before the money lands, and how much is withheld before it arrives.
Warsaw Stock Exchange (GPW) and the WIG indices
The first session on the Warsaw exchange in 1991 turned over 1,990 zloty. Today a single July brings 58 billion — and WIG20 has only just cleared its 2007 peak.
Oldest ETF in the world: the first wasn’t American
SPY was the first ETF listed in the United States, not in the world. The first one traded in Toronto in 1990 — and the list of the longest-running funds is missing a Japanese name.
Most expensive stocks in the world: a fortune each
One Berkshire Hathaway share costs more than $755,000 — more than an apartment. A look at the most expensive stocks in the world, and why the price per share says almost nothing about the company behind it.
Chart timeframes: from M1 to D1 and which to pick
A timeframe is nothing more than the length of one candle — yet it decides how often you trade, how much time you spend at the chart and which cost eats into the result. Here is how M1 to D1 differ in practice.