Our Story
Five years ago, Arthur Van Der Pluijm and Michael Claessens met through a family friend, brought together by a mutual fascination with the markets. Arthur, already a seasoned professional with a decade of trading experience, quickly recognised Michael’s sharp instincts in equities. Their conversations evolved into mentorship, then into a deeper partnership as they learned each other’s personalities, trading styles, and approaches to risk.
As Michael sharpened his expertise in options trading, their synergy became undeniable. From 2020 to 2025, their combined strategies delivered an impressive 285% return. With proof of concept in hand (and 19+ years of combined trading experience), they knew it was time to take the next step—launching a fund together, built on the same relentless pursuit of an edge that first brought them together.
Why it works
Their combined experience means they don’t just react to market movements; they anticipate them. When Michael’s ability to identify trades with exceptional upside is paired with Arthur’s meticulous execution, the result is a strategy where risk and reward are engineered for lasting success. Over the past 5 years, this synergy has delivered a 31% CAGR.
Together, Arthur and Michael have built a trading powerhouse, one that blends opportunity spotting with downside protection, high conviction with calculated risk, and human intuition with algorithmic discipline. This balance is what defines Praetorian Capital, mastering the delicate interplay between risk and reward.
Arthur brings over 12 years of trading experience across multiple asset classes, specialising in automated, hybrid, and discretionary strategies. He previously led the automated strategy division at a trading firm managing over €100M in assets and later founded an algorithmic trading company that achieved a 69% net return in the past year, with 202% cumulative gains since 2021. His expertise in systematic trading and market structure drives Praetorian’s advanced trading approach.
Michael is a seasoned private investor with over seven years of experience in equity and options trading, specialising in event-driven options strategies. Since 2017, his disciplined risk management and deep market insights have consistently outperformed benchmarks, delivering a remarkable 379% cumulative return. In the past two years alone, he achieved a 65% return in 2023 and an impressive 145% in the past 12 months, demonstrating his ability to navigate volatile markets with precision.
Our Trusted Partnerships
We meticulously select our partners to ensure the highest standards of security, compliance, and operational excellence. Each firm we collaborate with plays a crucial role in maintaining a stable, transparent, and well-regulated investment environment, allowing us to focus on delivering strong performance while safeguarding investor capital.
Banking
As one of the Netherlands' most established financial institutions, Rabobank provides the fund with secure banking and custodial services. This ensures smooth capital flow management, investor transactions, and an added layer of financial stability in a regulated environment.
Fund administration & compliance
Our compliance and regulatory partner, ensuring that all fund operations adhere to the strict standards set by the Dutch Financial Authorities (AFM & DNB). AssetCare helps us maintain transparency, investor protection, and alignment with industry best practices.
Trading brokerage
A globally recognised brokerage firm known for its deep liquidity, low-latency execution, and access to a wide range of asset classes. Through Interactive Brokers, we secure institutional-grade execution, direct market access, and advanced risk management tools to enhance our trading strategies.
Notary
A specialised notary firm supporting legal structuring, fund formation, and documentation compliance. Accordo ensures that all legal frameworks are properly established, protecting both the fund and its investors within the applicable regulatory landscape.
