Kick off the first episode of 2026 with a fun, draft-style market showdown as host Jeff Malec is joined by David Dziekanski and Zed Francis on The Derivative. Using funky categories and plenty of hot takes, the trio drafts everything from “wait, that’s still a thing” trades to market overreactions, false idols, and narratives that didn’t survive the year. Along the way, they break down crypto cycles, volatility, cash, and derivatives, mixing sharp insight with dry humor and real debate. It’s a loose, fast-paced way to start the year, packed with strong opinions, laughs, and a few bold predictions. SEND IT!
Chapters:
00:00-02:35= Intro
02:36-12:50 = New year reflections, Market Trends and Predictions, Crypto Cycles and The Diminishing importance of Jobs
12:51-20:55= Unsophisticated Investment Strategies, Market overactions and consequences & Correlations in the market
20:56-35:52= Desensitized to Major Events, Future outlooks, Market Indicators, Volatility Trends & Dogs that didn’t Bark - Inflations/Tariffs
35:53-43:28= Are We Sure this is Good? The Affordability Crisis and The A.I. Paradox
43:29-48:03= Best Meals & Entertainment of 2025
48:04-59:41= Looking forward: Predictions for 2026
From the episode:
David on the Derivative:
Zed on the Derivative:
Protecting the Portfolio not with Long Vol, but with Long Gamma, with Convexitas
The Polymath Pod: Jason Buck and Zed Francis talk rates, vol, and cheeseburgers?!
WTF is LDI, and What’s working in Vol Trading with Zed Francis of Convexitas
Follow along on LinkedIn with David and Zed and be sure to check out their websites quantifyfunds.com and convexitas.com for more information!
Don't forget to subscribe toThe Derivative, follow us on Twitter at@rcmAlts and our host Jeff at@AttainCap2, orLinkedIn , andFacebook, andsign-up for our blog digest.
Disclaimer: This podcast is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal, business, or tax advice. All opinions expressed by podcast participants are solely their own opinions and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of RCM Alternatives, their affiliates, or companies featured. Due to industry regulations, participants on this podcast are instructed not to make specific trade recommendations, nor reference past or potential profits. And listeners are reminded that managed futures, commodity trading, and other alternative investments are complex and carry a risk of substantial losses. As such, they are not suitable for all investors. For more information, visitwww.rcmalternatives.com/disclaimer