Is it time to diversify beyond the U.S. and take the "Leap" into European markets? In this episode, host Mark Longo is joined by Russell Rhoads (IU Kelley School of Business), Cornelius Trenz (EUREX), and Helena Jarabakova (TradingView) to explore how retail and professional traders can access the high-liquidity European derivatives landscape. We dive deep into "The Leap"—a massive new paper trading competition with over $20,000 in prizes designed to help you master EUREX products without risk.

Continental Conversations:

• TradingView 101: How Helena Jarabakova and the TradingView team are democratizing access to European data for just $2/month.

• The "Mid-Morning" Edge: Why the European market close (around 11:30 AM ET) offers a second daily window for volatility and swing trading.

• VDAX vs. VIX: Analyzing the "Greenland Dust-up" and how European volatility is currently correlating with the U.S.

• Hidden Gems: Cornelius Trenz highlights why Euro STOXX Banks and STOXX Europe 600 futures are the preferred tools for institutional-grade diversification.

• Correlation Breakdown: Russell Rhoads explains why the decoupling of DAX and S&P 500 correlation is a green light for portfolio diversification.

Timestamps:

• 0:00 – Introduction to European Volatility

• 5:20 – TradingView: Charting and Education for 100M+ Users

• 12:45 – Deep Dive: "The Leap" Paper Trading Competition

• 22:15 – The "Mid-Morning" Opportunity for U.S. Traders

• 31:40 – VDAX, VIX, and the Impact of Global Tariffs

• 45:10 – Mail Call: European Financials & Sector Rotation

Brought to you by EUREX. Take the Leap today at EUREX.com/competition

The trading day doesn't start when the opening bell rings. In this inaugural episode of 2026, Mark Longo is joined by a powerhouse panel to dissect a wild 2025 and forecast the trends shaping the European derivatives landscape in the year ahead.

• 2025 Retrospective: Why European financials and defense sectors outperformed the US mega-cap tech narrative.

• The Defense Boom: A look at the unprecedented returns in European defense indices (some up nearly 100%) and whether the momentum can survive potential geopolitical shifts.

• Banking on Europe: Why the STOXX Europe 600 Banks index returned a staggering 76% in 2025 and how the diversification of European mega-caps offers a unique play compared to US financials.

• Volatility Outlook: Russell Rhoads breaks down the VIX vs. VSTOXX and explains why the US remains the primary source of global "anticipatory" volatility.

• New Product Alert: Sophie Granchi (Eurex) discusses the shift toward Industry Futures and the demand for thematic trading in a de-globalizing world.

The panel answers your burning questions on:

1. Relative Value Trades: How to play the narrow calendar spreads in VSTOXX vs. the wider spreads in VIX.

2. Institutional Rotation: Is the heavy volume in European Bank futures a "higher for longer" play or a flight from US markets?

3. The Divergence Myth: Is the gap between the S&P 500 and STOXX cyclical or a permanent shift in global equity performance?

• Mark Longo: Founder & CEO, The Options Insider Media Group

• Russell Rhoads: Kelly School of Business, Indiana University (a.k.a. Dr. VSTOXX)

• Sophie Granchi Head of Equity & Index Sales (EMEA), Eurex

• Arun Singhal: Global Head of Index Product Management, STOXX

What defined European markets in 2025, and what trading trends will dominate 2026? In this year-end episode of the European Market Brief, host Mark Longo joins industry experts from Eurex, Advantage Futures, and Indiana University for a deep dive into market performance and future outlooks.

The panel moves beyond a simple review to analyze surprising shifts in market structure, from the explosion of prediction markets to the demand for 24-hour trading access.

Tune in to hear the panel discuss:

• 2026 Market Predictions: Where the experts see European opportunities next year.

• Volatility Strategies: Why interest in trading volatility remained high in 2025.

• Futures Debates: The evolving roles of cash vs. physically settled futures.

• New Frontiers: Opportunities in credit indices and round-the-clock trading.

Featured Guests:

• Russell Rhoads, Indiana University Kelley School of Business

• Mike O'Malley, Advantage Futures

• Lee Bartholomew, Eurex