What evidence should you ask for before paying a trading mentor?
You should ask for a clear curriculum, written terms, total cost, support details and risk disclosures before paying a trading mentor.
The source interview values structured levels and open discussion of losses. Those are useful education signals, but they are not proof of performance. Read what is included and what is not included before you pay.
Why are guaranteed trading returns a red flag?
Guaranteed trading returns are a red flag because trading outcomes are uncertain and high-risk products can produce substantial losses.
ASIC warns that online financial promotions must not be misleading and that discussing financial products can involve legal obligations. Treat claims of easy money, fixed returns or a guaranteed timeline as a reason to stop and verify the claim.
How should you assess a trading mentor’s testimonials?
You should assess a trading mentor’s testimonials as individual experiences, not proof of a result you will receive.
The source interview is a mentor’s personal account. It can describe what that person experienced, but it cannot establish typical results, licensing status or the suitability of trading for you.
What statistic supports taking trading-risk claims seriously?
ASIC's Report 828 records that 68% of Australian retail CFD investors lost money in the 2024 financial year. CFDs can be used to speculate on currency movements, so that result is a clear reason to treat leverage, fees and position size as risk controls, not details to ignore.
Which sources support these statistics?
ASIC Report 828 and the Bank for International Settlements 2025 Triennial Survey support the cited statistics. They report market-wide CFD-loss and foreign-exchange-turnover data, not evidence that a trading method, educator or reader will obtain any particular result.
- ASIC Report 828: Risky business — 68% of retail CFD investors lost money in FY24.
- Bank for International Settlements 2025 Triennial Survey — OTC FX turnover reached US$9.6 trillion per day in April 2025.
What questions do readers ask about this topic?
The answers below address the adjacent practical questions readers ask after reviewing the article and its source material. Each answer describes the available evidence and does not replace an independent review of current terms, risks or personal circumstances.
Does a mentor’s social-media following prove they are worth paying?
No. A following does not establish curriculum quality, credentials, terms or trading outcomes.
Should a trading mentor discuss losses?
Yes. Plain risk discussion is part of responsible education because losses are possible in trading.
Can a mentor guarantee trading profit?
No. No mentor can guarantee trading profit or income.
What should you read before joining a mentorship?
Read the current curriculum, contract, total cost, cancellation and refund terms, risk disclosures and any credential information.