How a teen trader became a finance expert by 21

Once a high school student with a passion for history books, Joseph Lejarde saw trading as more than just numbers on a screen. To him, it was an opportunity – one that could transform his financial future. At 15, while most of his peers were focused on schoolwork, he was already attending advanced trading classes, learning alongside seasoned professionals.

In the Philippines, where becoming a financial expert requires strict certifications and licenses, Joseph achieved what few young people even attempt. He became licensed to offer securities investments to investors, earning multiple certifications that validated his expertise in the financial markets. His accomplishments set him apart in an industry where age is often a barrier to credibility, proving that knowledge and dedication can outweigh experience.

Joseph’s early trading journey wasn’t just about financial gains – it was a relentless pursuit of knowledge. He sought out mentors across Asia, tackled rigorous financial certifications, and eventually bridged the worlds of forex, stocks, and crypto with a deep understanding of economic cycles and market behavior.

The start of an academic trading journey

Growing up with financial struggles, Joseph saw trading as a way out. His father, a marketer, and his mother, a real estate agent, exposed him early to sales, negotiation, and resilience – skills that later shaped his disciplined approach to trading. His upbringing wasn’t easy. With an older brother who had severe non-verbal autism, his parents had to prioritize caregiving over career growth, leading to a stagnant income that barely covered expenses.

At 15, Joseph stumbled upon a trading seminar and begged his dad to let him attend. As the youngest in the room, he was met with skepticism, but as the seminar progressed, he realized this was more than just an opportunity to make money – it was a field he wanted to explore both financially and academically.

Unlike many who stumble into trading through social media trends, Joseph approached it academically. "I treated my first trading class like a normal class in school. I was excited – it felt like college while I was still in high school. I love learning."

With little money to invest, he saw teaching as a way to supplement his earnings, which forced him to articulate complex concepts, strengthening his understanding of market dynamics. He negotiated with a local small coffee shop for space to host his first trading lessons in exchange for bringing in customers. 

This arrangement allowed him to create an additional revenue stream while continuing to trade. By the end of that summer, Joseph had built a foundation, allowing him to further invest in his personal trading and academic pursuits.

Global education and its impact on strategy

Joseph wasn’t content with just local training – he traveled across Asia to seek out the best mentors. In Hong Kong, he learned how to refine his trading strategies. In Singapore and Malaysia, he gained deeper insights into fundamental analysis and how institutional trading works and varies from retail trading. Taiwan exposed him to the role of artificial intelligence in trading, particularly expert advisors that could automate decision-making.

Among the certifications Joseph pursued – including Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) and Certified Technical Analyst (CTA) – one stood out: the Certified Securities Specialist (CSS). "CSS was the hardest because almost every week we had new lessons. One day, you’re learning the securities regulation code like a lawyer, then the next day, you’re a banker, then an economist, then an accountant,” he told The Crypto Radio.

The continual pursuit of knowledge

Joseph’s trading approach evolved as he expanded into crypto. Admittedly, he applied similar strategies from stocks and forex to crypto, with the only caveat being crypto was decentralized and was heavily sentiment-driven.

"Crypto is a financial asset, and its major players are in the US, Europe, and Asia. Most of the world is adopting Bitcoin… Right now, crypto is helping the system, not destroying it. It meets a lot of demand, and I love its progress. We’re promoting mass adoption, and I’m happy to be part of it.” he told The Crypto Radio.

For Joseph, the journey doesn’t stop at trading. "I’m studying a lot,” he said, targeting SEC licenses in the Philippine banking industry with goals of future academic endeavors. “In the long run, I want to pursue an MBA and maybe even a doctorate in seven to ten years. The learning never stops."

His journey isn’t just about accumulating knowledge – it’s about using it to navigate financial markets intelligently. For Joseph, the now 21-year-old multi-certified licensed trader, everything is a long game, and he’s just getting started.