18 years in financial markets. 200+ no-deposit bonuses personally audited.
My Trading Journey
In 2008, amidst the global financial crisis, I opened my first Forex trading account. My $500 deposit vanished in two weeks – a classic beginner’s tale involving overtrading, lack of stop-loss orders, and letting emotions override strategy.
Instead of quitting, I decided to study the market systematically. Since 2009, I have maintained a rigorous trading journal, backtested indicators, and delved into risk management literature.
By 2011, I achieved consistent profitability, realizing the core truth: 90% of success stems from risk control and psychology, not just “signals”.
Why Focus on Bonuses?
In 2012, I stumbled upon my first forex no-deposit bonus – a $30 offer with no initial funding required. Within two weeks, I met the 3-lot volume requirement and withdrew $85 in pure profit. It was a revelation: you can stress-test a broker’s infrastructure without risking your own capital.
Since then, I began systematically auditing bonus offers. As of 2026, I have tested over 200 promotions from 50+ different brokers. Not all passed – many turned out to be “empty” offers with hidden withdrawal traps.
Professional Background
2008 – 2012: The Foundation
Early trading years. Learning through losses, education, and developing my first profitable strategy (trend-following and scalping on M15 timeframes).
2013 – 2017: Risk Management Professional
Worked as a Risk Manager at an Investment Management Firm. I managed a $2M portfolio for institutional clients and developed broker monitoring systems to ensure SLA compliance (execution speed, slippage metrics).
2018 – Present: Independent Auditor & Founder
Transitioned to independent trading and auditing. Focused exclusively on the no-deposit bonus niche. Founded FreeForexStart.ru to systematize my experience and guide novice traders.
Key Achievements:
- Over $15,000 in net profit withdrawn from bonuses (verified personal statistics);
- Developed a comprehensive Broker Verification Checklist (used across this site);
- Identified and blacklisted 12 scam offers through detailed warning reviews.
My Content Philosophy
Every bonus listed on our homepage has been personally tested through my 5-stage methodology:
- Full Registration + KYC Verification;
- Bonus Crediting and Live Execution;
- Meeting Trading Volume (Lot) Requirements;
- Withdrawal Request Submission;
- Receipt of Funds to Card, Wallet, or Crypto.
Strict Policy: I do not publish offers with no withdrawal potential, scam brokers, or outdated promotions. Everything is backed by screenshots and first-hand experience.
Education & Qualifications
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT): M.S. in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science (2003-2008). A top-tier research university.
- Quantitative Analysis Certification (QuantInsti, 2015);
- Financial Risk Manager (FRM): Certified by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP, 2016).
Why Trust My Reviews?
- 18 Years of Experience – I’ve evolved from a novice to a professional risk manager;
- 200+ Audits – I recognize the red flags of bonus programs instantly;
- Transparency – I only recommend what I have successfully withdrawn myself;
- Independent Analysis – My recommendations are based on performance, not affiliate pressure.
FreeForexStart.ru is my way of saving you time, frustration, and capital by filtering out the industry’s “noise.”