There is so much hate on scepticism here. Making the kind of money I do is not unusual for young successful traders. I worked my socks off to get into Oxford to get a trading job, and I deserve to earn what I earn.
You're either extremely talented, inherited some money or are trading on some kind of insider info. Nobody is that good that quick without cutting some corners.
"elite trader" is only the web address of this forum. It has nothing to do with the "talent" pool that posts on here.
So why are you so concerned about making it on your own. If you know how to trade, then just do it! By the way, are you sure you live in London and not Vancouver?
A year out of school and your "bank" is paying you $180k base? We should be coming to you for advice bc that's the best IB pay I've even seen for a kid a year out of school. If you're going to BS, make it plausible.
Following is typical progression. OP - how are you making 180k base after a year??? Designation - Base - Experience analyst - 70k usd - fresh undergrad joining a bank associate - 100k-110k usd - post mba or mfe or phd joining a bank vp 150k-170k usd - 3yrs experience as an associate in a bank