James Barra

James Barra

James is an experienced investment writer with a background in financial services. He was formerly a management consultant in the banking and capital markets sector where he worked with some of the UK and Europe’s largest banks.

James aims to help everyday investors find reliable, affordable platforms with trading conditions that match with user’s needs. He takes an analytical approach to evaluating online brokers, having reviewed over 200 trading platforms and investment apps, recorded more than 50,000 data points on brokerages, and placed hundreds of test trades over nearly 10 years.

James contributes to a number of websites in the investing niche and has been quoted in respected media outlets like Business Insider.

He has a degree in Law and a certificate in Business Accounting from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

You can reach James Barra on james.barra@daytrading.com.

Latest articles written by James

  1. Why We Show Some Less Regulated Brokers
    Article (Jan 21, 2026)
    Read DayTrading.com's policy on reviewing and showing less regulated or unlicensed brokers and trading platforms.
  2. Carry Trading Forex Strategy
    Article (Jan 19, 2026)
    Carry Trading forex strategy for day traders. Definition of carry trading, with trading costs, momentum and timing. Plus pitfalls and risks of carry trades.
  3. Blockchain And The Environment
    Article (Jan 19, 2026)
    Blockchain and the environment are often seen as combative concepts, but can blockchain help the environment? Read on to find out.
  4. Trading Broker Reviews
    Article (Jan 17, 2026)
    Explore our list of online trading platform and brokerage reviews, sorted by those with the highest expert-assigned ratings.
  5. Trading USD/CHF
    Article (Jan 16, 2026)
    USD/CHF - Trading the FX rate of USD (Dollar) into CHF (Swiss Franc). We explore live rates, charts, forecasts and strategies for investing in the USDCHF.

Latest articles edited by James

  1. Regulation & Trust Rating
    Article (Jan 21, 2026)
    Regulation & Trust Rating methodology. The factors and regulators we consider when deciding whether a trading broker can be trusted.
  2. XM
    Broker Review (Jan 21, 2026)
    XM broker review by active and experienced traders, featuring robust testing with pros & cons and safety insights. Discover the real XM.
  3. Crypto.com
    Broker Review (Jan 20, 2026)
    Use our deep-dive into Crypto.com to see if it's the right platform for you, with every key area evaluated for active crypto traders.
  4. Bitfinex
    Broker Review (Jan 20, 2026)
    Bitfinex review from active traders and industry experts, with key testing insights and critical comparisons with leading alternatives.
  5. CFD Taxes
    Article (Jan 19, 2026)
    CFD taxes are an important and often overlooked aspect of trading, even though it can have significant financial implications. Read on for more details.

James Barra on social media