Smit Shah (born , Surat, Gujarat) is an Indian financial trader, entrepreneur, and technologist. He is the Founder and Director of RXT Global — a proprietary trading firm based in Surat — and serves as President of NFA Traders' Talk, a professional forex trading and networking community. At the intersection of finance and technology, Shah builds systematic trading strategies, contributes to open-source fintech infrastructure, and works to raise the standard of financial education in India.

Early Life & Background

Smit Shah was born on 18 January 2002 in Surat, Gujarat, India, into a close-knit Gujarati family. He is the only child of Shreyash Vijaykumar Shah and Purvi Shreyash Shah. Raised in the commercial and entrepreneurial spirit of Surat — historically one of India's most significant trade and textile cities — Shah developed an early fascination with financial markets, technology, and analytical thinking.

Growing up as a single child in a family-oriented Gujarati household, Shah benefited from undivided support and a nurturing environment that encouraged intellectual curiosity across both finance and technology. His early exposure to India's capital markets, combined with a natural affinity for computers and systems, laid the foundation for what would become an unusually broad and rigorous professional portfolio.

He pursued his higher education in Bengaluru, Karnataka — simultaneously completing a B.Tech in CSE (Cybersecurity) and a BBA in Banking & Finance at Jain University (2021–2025). Bengaluru's dynamic technology ecosystem further sharpened his technical skills, while his finance studies fuelled an increasingly serious engagement with Indian derivatives markets. By the time of graduation, he had already accumulated five major professional finance designations, multiple technology certifications, founded his own trading firm, and obtained an Indian Student Pilot Licence (SPL).

Education

Smit Shah's academic record combines elite finance scholarship with advanced computer science and cybersecurity qualifications — an unusual and powerful combination that underpins his multidisciplinary career.

Current & Upcoming Advanced Studies

Track I — Finance & Economics
Master of Business Administration (MBA) — Finance
Applying 2026–27Corporate FinanceCapital MarketsStrategy

MBA with specialisation in corporate finance, financial strategy, and capital market operations at IIM Ahmedabad — India's premier management institution. Complements existing CFA, FRM, CMT, and SEBI RIA designations with a formal management perspective and serves as the academic foundation for doctoral research at Stanford GSB.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) — Finance
Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stanford, California, USA
Applying 2026–27Asset PricingDerivativesBehavioural Finance

Doctoral programme in financial economics at Stanford GSB — studying pricing and valuation of assets, financial decision-making, and the structure of financial systems. Research interests include volatility modelling, options pricing dynamics, and behavioural market microstructure in emerging economies. Programme spans 4–5 years with coursework, research practica, and field examinations.

Track II — Computer Science & Technology
Simultaneous enrolment at IIT Bombay
Master of Technology (M.Tech) — Computer Science & Engineering
Applying 2026–27GATE BasedComputer ScienceResearch

M.Tech programme in Computer Science & Engineering at IIT Bombay — delivering advanced theoretical, practical and research-oriented knowledge. Admission through GATE scores via the Common Offer Acceptance Portal (COAP). Full-time programme combining flexible coursework with thesis projects to develop research capabilities.

+
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) — Computer Science & Engineering
Applying 2026–27Simultaneous with M.TechResearchDoctoral

Doctoral research programme at IIT Bombay pursued simultaneously alongside M.Tech — combining master's-level coursework with deep doctoral research in computer science. Research interests span algorithmic trading systems, cybersecurity, and computational methods in quantitative finance. IIT Bombay allows concurrent M.Tech + Ph.D. enrolment with an option to convert upon meeting eligibility criteria.

Standardised Test Scores

SAT
1552
out of 1600
TOEFL
94
out of 120
GRE
Scheduled
GMAT
Scheduled

Undergraduate & Professional Degrees

Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) — CSE · Cybersecurity
Jain Global Campus - FET, Bengaluru, Karnataka
2021 – 2025CybersecurityComputer ScienceComputer Engineering

Programme focused on safeguarding digital systems and addressing cyber threats. Expertise in secure system design, penetration testing, risk assessment, LDAP, Active Directories, and IoT security. Participated in cybersecurity workshops, CTFs, and collaborative research projects.

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) — Banking & Finance
Jain University, Bengaluru, Karnataka
2022 – 2025BankingFinanceRisk Management

Comprehensive understanding of banking, financial analysis, risk management, and strategic financial planning. Curriculum fostered analytical thinking for the dynamic financial industry. Jain University's vibrant academic environment provided practical learning experiences and interactions with industry professionals.

Courses

Advanced Programme in Quantitative Finance & Risk Management
2025Quant FinanceDerivatives PricingRisk Management

Intensive programme covering mathematical foundations of derivatives pricing, the Black-Scholes model, option Greeks, volatility modelling, and numerical methods in computational finance via Python and R. Includes machine learning applications in finance and a campus module at IIMA — delivered by faculty with expertise in market microstructure and derivatives risk.

Executive Program in Quantitative Finance & Risk Mitigation
IIM Sirmaur & NSE Academy — Joint Programme
6 MonthsFinancial DerivativesRisk MitigationFinancial Modelling

Six-month joint executive programme covering financial statistics, derivatives, quantitative analysis, risk measurement, financial modelling, and regulatory frameworks. Live interactive virtual sessions with IIM Sirmaur faculty — combining theoretical rigour with practical market applications and an IIM-issued certificate.

Machine Learning for Algorithmic Trading in Python
NSE Academy — National Stock Exchange of India
BootcampAlgo TradingMachine LearningPython

Hands-on bootcamp equipping participants to apply machine learning techniques in algorithmic trading using Python. Covered trend-following and mean-reversion strategies, exploratory data analysis on stock pricing data, and practical implementation of ML models for trading — delivered via live classroom and live-stream sessions from NSE India, Mumbai.

CHNA & CSP — Computer Hardware, Networking & System Administration
IANT Educom Pvt. Ltd., Surat, Gujarat
2018 – 2020HardwareNetworkingSystem Administration

Completed dual certifications — Certified Hardware Network Associate (CHNA) and Certified System Professional (CSP) — covering computer hardware assembly & troubleshooting, network configuration, system administration, and OS deployment. Hands-on technical training at IANT Educom built a strong foundation in IT infrastructure that underpins Shah's work in trading systems and fintech platforms.

Career & Professional History

Current Positions

2022 – Present
Founder & Director
RXT GlobalFounding RoleActive

Shah founded RXT Global as a proprietary trading and financial services firm focused on systematic and discretionary derivatives trading across NSE and BSE. As Founder and Director, he oversees all trading operations across equity derivatives and currency segments, drives strategic direction, and manages the firm's risk framework. The firm integrates quantitative research with real-time market judgement to generate sustainable, risk-adjusted returns.

Ongoing
SEBI Registered Investment Adviser (RIA)

Holds the SEBI RIA registration, enabling formal investment advice under Indian securities law. Mandates high professional standards, strict fiduciary duties, conflict-of-interest disclosures, and periodic compliance — reserved for rigorously vetted finance professionals only.

Previous Professional Experience

2024 – 2025
Trader | Proprietary Trading Desk
Arham Shares Pvt LtdEquity BrokingFinancial Services

Associated with Arham Shares Pvt Ltd in a financial advisory and market analysis capacity. Developed expertise in client-facing financial services, investment advisory processes, capital market research, structured product analysis, and professional financial communication. The role deepened practical exposure to Indian equity broking operations and compliance frameworks.

2023 – 2024
Trader | Proprietary Trading Desk
Jainam Broking LtdStockbrokingPMSIPO

Jainam Broking Ltd is one of India's leading stockbroking and financial services companies. Shah initiated and steered technical analysis endeavours, formulated delta-hedging strategies, developed sophisticated spreads, and exhibited adept management of stock Greeks. Served as a Portfolio Management Services (PMS) handler and IPO file manager. Career commenced as a phone broker — a foundational role that provided direct insight into institutional order flow and client servicing.

Professional Financial Credentials

Shah holds an extraordinary portfolio of globally recognised financial designations. Simultaneously holding CFA, FRM, CIPM, CMT, and SEBI RIA places him among an ultra-select cohort of finance professionals worldwide — reflecting extraordinary intellectual breadth and sustained professional discipline.

CFA Charterholder

The gold standard in global investment management. Covers portfolio theory, equity analysis, fixed income, derivatives, alternative investments, ethics, and quantitative methods. Held by fewer than 200,000 professionals worldwide.

CFA Institute, USA

Financial Risk Manager (FRM)

Premier global standard in financial risk management. Covers quantitative risk analysis, market risk, credit risk, operational risk, and risk modelling.

GARP — Global Association of Risk Professionals

CIPM — Investment Performance Measurement

Specialist credential in investment performance evaluation, attribution analysis, GIPS standards, and return calculation methodologies.

CFA Institute, USA

Chartered Market Technician (CMT)

Premier credential in technical analysis. Covers chart patterns, intermarket analysis, behavioural finance, systematic trading, and advanced market theory.

CMT Association, USA
SEBI
RIA

SEBI Registered Investment Adviser (RIA)

Regulatory registration issued by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) permitting formal investment advice provision to Indian investors. Mandates high professional standards, fiduciary duties, conflict-of-interest disclosures, and periodic regulatory compliance — reserved exclusively for qualified, vetted professionals. Governed under the SEBI Investment Advisers Regulations, 2013.

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
NISM Certifications Currency · Equity · Interest Rate · AIF · PMS · Research Analyst
10 certs
I
Currency Derivatives
NISM Series I — USDINR & cross-currency derivatives, pricing models, hedging strategies, and regulatory framework. Verify ↗
VIII
Equity Derivatives
NISM Series VIII — Nifty & BankNifty futures/options, Greeks, margin computation, and NSE derivatives framework. Verify ↗
IA
Investor Awareness
SEBI mandated investor education programme covering investor rights, grievance redressal, financial literacy, and market risks. Verify ↗
XIII
Common Derivatives
Comprehensive derivatives framework covering equity, currency, and interest rate derivative markets. Verify ↗
IV
Interest Rate Derivatives
Government securities, RBI monetary policy, bond futures, and yield curve modelling. Verify ↗
XXI-B
Portfolio Managers
PMS regulatory framework, portfolio construction, client onboarding, and SEBI PMS regulations. Verify ↗
XIX-C
AIF Managers
Alternative Investment Fund structures, hedge funds, private equity, and SEBI AIF Regulations 2012. Verify ↗
XIX-D
Cat I & II AIF Managers
Infrastructure funds, SME funds, venture capital, social venture funds, and real estate investment structures. Verify ↗
XIX-E
Cat III AIF Managers
Hedge fund strategies, leverage, derivatives trading, and advanced portfolio risk management. Verify ↗
XV
Research Analyst
Equity research, financial modelling, valuation methods, and SEBI Research Analyst Regulations. Verify ↗
NSE NCFM Certifications Algorithmic Trading · Technical Analysis
2 certs
AT
Algorithmic Trading Module
NCFM — Algorithmic trading strategies, risk management in automated systems, audit & compliance processes, and practical implementation of trading algorithms on NSE infrastructure. Verify ↗
TA
Technical Analysis Module
NCFM — Chart types, candlestick patterns, support & resistance, trend indicators (RSI, MACD, Bollinger Bands), and trading signal interpretation for equity and derivatives markets. Verify ↗

Technology Certifications

Beyond finance, Shah holds a formidable stack of globally recognised technology certifications spanning cybersecurity, cloud, systems administration, and IT training.

Red Hat Certifications Enterprise Linux Administration · Server Infrastructure
2 certs
RHCSA
Red Hat Certified System Administrator
Enterprise Linux administration covering user management, file systems, networking, and production server operations under RHEL. Verify ↗
RHCP
Red Hat Certified Professional
Advanced Red Hat certification recognizing demonstrated expertise across enterprise Linux environments, systems management, and Red Hat technologies. Verify ↗
EC-Council Certifications Ethical Hacking · Cybersecurity · Penetration Testing
3 certs
CEH
Certified Ethical Hacker v12
Ethical hacking and penetration testing certification covering exploitation techniques, network security, social engineering, and defense strategies. Verify ↗
CND
Certified Network Defender
Network defense certification focused on protecting, detecting, and responding to network threats — covering firewalls, IDS/IPS, VPNs, and incident response. Verify ↗
CSCU
Certified Secure Computer User
Foundational cybersecurity certification covering data security, internet safety, social engineering awareness, and secure usage of digital systems. Verify ↗
Microsoft Credentials MVP · MCT · Student Ambassador · AZ-104 · Azure · Power Platform
4 certs
MVP
Microsoft MVP
Most Valuable Professional — awarded to <3,000 globally for community excellence. mvp.microsoft.com ↗
MCT
Microsoft Certified Trainer
Certified to deliver official Microsoft training programmes globally. learn.microsoft.com ↗
MSA
Microsoft Student Ambassador
Prestigious global programme identifying future technology leaders. Learn more ↗
AZ-104
Azure Administrator Associate
Azure VMs, storage, networking, identity & access management. azure.microsoft.com ↗
CompTIA Credentials Network+ CE · Security+ CE · ITF+ · Instructor Network (CIN)
4 certs
N+
CompTIA Network+ CE
TCP/IP, routing, switching, wireless, troubleshooting. Verify ↗
S+
CompTIA Security+ CE
Threat management, cryptography, identity, security protocols. Verify ↗
ITF+
CompTIA IT Fundamentals
Hardware, software, networking, databases, cloud. Verify ↗
CIN
CompTIA Instructor Network
Certified CompTIA educator — networking, security, IT fundamentals. comptia.org ↗

Other Certifications & Participations

A collection of government pledges, internship completions, and participation recognitions across institutions, programmes, and industry events.

Government of India Integrity Pledge · Central Vigilance Commission
1 cert
CVC
Certificate of Commitment — Integrity Pledge
Issued by the Central Vigilance Commission, Government of India. Certifies adoption of the Integrity Pledge — commitment to uphold the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and probity in all walks of life. Certificate No. 4488392272.
Internship Completions Futurense Technologies · Jainam Broking
2 certs
FUT
Internship Completion — Futurense Technologies
Successfully completed internship programme with Futurense Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru — 05 Jun 2024 to 05 Jul 2024. USN: 21BTRCC034. Issued by Karthik Joseph, General Manager – Human Resources.
JBL
Participation Certificate — Jainam Broking Ltd.
Recognised participation in training and market operations programme at Jainam Broking Ltd. — one of India's leading equity and derivatives broking firms.
Participation Certificates Workshops · Seminars · Events · Competitions
— certs

Knowledge & Trading Expertise

Trading Platforms & Market Technology

Shah operates with proficiency across India's major trading platforms and execution systems, covering both retail and institutional-grade infrastructure on NSE and BSE.

Technology Skills & Systems

Programming & Development
Operating Systems
Windows Linux (RHEL, Ubuntu, Kali) macOS Raspberry Pi OS

Ventures

Founding-level entrepreneurial ventures and live businesses established by Smit Shah.

NFA Traders' Talk — Forex Trading Community

Shah serves as President & Host of NFA Traders' Talk — a professional forex trading knowledge and networking community based at IT Park, Surat. Responsible for community gathering, event management, and member growth — targeting 500+ consistently profitable traders by 2026. Sessions cover trading psychology, risk management, market awareness, and peer networking — operated in alignment with SEBI compliance and regulatory standards.

Live · ActivePresident & HostForex TradingCommunity BuildingSurat · IT Park

Finance Projects & Research

02

Options Strategy Research & Backtesting Framework

Proprietary framework for analysing, backtesting, and stress-testing multi-leg options strategies across volatility regimes on Nifty 50 and Bank Nifty. Built in Python with real-time Greeks monitoring, IV percentile tracking, and dynamic risk overlays. Integrates with OpenAlgo API.

ProprietaryPythonQuantitative FinanceOptions Research
03

CRISIL Debt Market Research & Analysis

In-depth research into CRISIL credit ratings for Indian debt instruments, tracking rating actions across Indian corporate debt. Bridges CFA fixed income expertise with practical market research. Published reference →

Fixed IncomeCRISIL ↗CFA ApplicationDebt Markets

Research Papers & Publications

Smit Shah has authored and contributed to research publications spanning financial markets, IoT systems, and applied technology. Full references and links will be published here as available.

01
Smart Mirror: An IoT-Based Intelligent Information Display System
IoT · Raspberry Pi Fintech Integration 📜 Patent Pending

Research on the design, development, and deployment of a Raspberry Pi-powered Smart Mirror integrating real-time financial data, AI voice interaction, and IoT sensor modules. The project includes a patent application for the novel interface architecture and data integration methodology. Available on GitHub ↗ and Google Scholar ↗.

02
Volatility Patterns in Indian Index Options: An Empirical Study
Options Research NSE · Nifty 50 Finance

Empirical analysis of implied volatility patterns, skew dynamics, and term structure behaviour in Nifty 50 and Bank Nifty options markets. Application of CFA and FRM frameworks to quantitative market research.

03
Additional Research Publications
In Progress

Further research papers and academic publications are in preparation. Links will be updated when available. View all work on GitHub ↗ and Google Scholar ↗.

Technology Projects

Personal Interests & Hobbies

Competitive rifle shooting — Smit Shah secured 2nd place at District Level

Rifle Shooting

Competitive marksmanship — 2nd place at District Level (GSRA). The focus and composure of competitive shooting directly reinforces trading discipline.

Equestrian pursuits — horseback riding

Equestrian Pursuits

The timeless art of horseback riding — demanding patience, partnership, and physical mastery. A pursuit of elegance and disciplined control.

Fine dining and culinary adventures

Culinary Adventures & Fine Dining

A connoisseur of global cuisines — from Indian haute cuisine to contemporary European gastronomy. Food as an expression of culture, craft, and meticulous attention to detail.

Aviation and flying — Indian Student Pilot Licence holder

Aviation & Flying

Holds an Indian Student Pilot Licence (SPL)DGCA certified. Navigating the skies demands the same precision and situational awareness as professional trading.

Achievements & Honours

Microsoft MVP

Global recognition for outstanding Microsoft tech community leadership — <3,000 worldwide.

Microsoft Student Ambassador

Global programme for future technology leaders.

Rifle Shooting — District 2nd Place

Secured 2nd at District Level under GSRA.

Student Pilot Licence (SPL)

DGCA-issued — aviation proficiency, navigation, meteorology.

SEBI RIA — Registered Investment Adviser

Exclusive SEBI regulatory registration for vetted finance professionals.

Languages

Language Proficiency Bar Level Standard
English
Professional Native C2 / Bilingual
Gujarati
Native Mother Tongue
Hindi
Fluent C1
Marathi
Fluent C1
Español (Spanish)
Intermediate B1 / B2
Kannada
Basic A2
Financial / Market Language
Expert CFA · CMT · FRM

References

Footnotes & Citations

In-article citations supporting factual claims, designations, and institutional references throughout this profile.

1CFA Institute — CFA Programme Overview. CFA charterholders number fewer than 200,000 globally. cfainstitute.org
2GARP — Global Association of Risk Professionals. Financial Risk Manager (FRM) designation. garp.org
3CMT Association — Chartered Market Technician programme. cmtassociation.org
4CFA Institute — CIPM Programme. Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement. cfainstitute.org
5SEBI Investment Advisers Regulations, 2013. Securities and Exchange Board of India. sebi.gov.in
6National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) — regulatory examination body under SEBI. nism.ac.in
7Microsoft MVP Programme — awarded to fewer than 3,000 professionals worldwide. mvp.microsoft.com
8Red Hat — RHCSA Certification. RedHat Certified System Administrator. Verify certificate ↗ redhat.com
9EC-Council — CEH v12. Certified Ethical Hacker. Verify certificate ↗ eccouncil.org
10Jain University, Bengaluru — Faculty of Engineering & Technology. B.Tech CSE (Cybersecurity) · BBA Banking & Finance 2021–2025. jainuniversity.ac.in
11CRISIL Ratings for Indian Debt Instruments — Sep 27. Investing.com India. CRISIL research reference. in.investing.com
12DGCA — Directorate General of Civil Aviation, India. Student Pilot Licence (SPL) regulatory authority. dgca.gov.in
13Gujarat State Rifle Association (GSRA) — competitive shooting regulatory body, Gujarat. gsra.in

Bibliography

Institutional sources, regulatory frameworks, and professional bodies referenced in compiling this profile.

Finance & Regulatory
[F1]CFA Institute (Charlottesville, VA, USA). CFA Programme Curriculum. CFA Institute, 2024.
[F2]GARP — Global Association of Risk Professionals. FRM Exam Study Guide. GARP, 2024.
[F3]CMT Association. CMT Program Study Materials. CMT Association, 2024.
[F4]Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Investment Advisers Regulations. SEBI, 2013 (amended).
[F5]National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM). Workbooks for Series I, IV, VIII, XIII, XV, XIX-C/D/E, XXI-B. NISM, 2023–24.
[F6]National Stock Exchange of India (NSE). NEAT System Overview & Market Data. NSE, 2024.
[F7]Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). BOLT System & Market Infrastructure. BSE, 2024.
[F8]CRISIL Ltd. CRISIL Ratings Methodology. CRISIL, 2024.
[F9]Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Monetary Policy and Interest Rate Derivative Framework. RBI, 2024.
Technology & Certification
[T1]Red Hat, Inc. RHCSA Exam Objectives — EX200. Red Hat, 2024.
[T2]EC-Council. CEH v12 Course Outline & Exam Blueprint. EC-Council, 2023.
[T3]Microsoft Learn. AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator — Study Guide. Microsoft, 2024.
[T4]CompTIA. Network+, Security+, ITF+ Exam Objectives. CompTIA, 2023.
[T5]OpenAlgo. Algorithmic Trading Platform Documentation. OpenAlgo, 2024.
[T6]Symphony Financial Technologies. XTS API Platform Technical Reference. SFT, 2024.
[T7]GreekSoft Technologies. Options Analytics Platform Overview. GreekSoft, 2024.

External Links

Official websites, professional profiles, social platforms, and downloadable resources.