Stratos Trading is reshaping global commodities by integrating verification, due diligence, and education to restore trust and integrity.
In the often murky waters of global commodities trading, integrity can feel like a rare commodity. Yet, for Pradesh Raj Selvaraj, founder and CEO of Stratos Trading, it’s precisely this issue that drove him to build a company grounded in accountability and structure. For too long, the global trade system has been plagued by fraud, unverified claims, and opaque intermediaries. But Stratos Trading and its consultancy arm, Stratos Advisory, are changing that narrative by offering a straightforward and innovative approach to verification and governance.
A Response to Systemic Failures
The commodities market, while vital to the global economy, is a sector marked by complexity and opacity. “Most people don’t lose money in commodities because they’re reckless. They lose it because they’re forced to make decisions based on incomplete or false information,” says Selvaraj. Over the years, Stratos Trading has seen firsthand how fraudulent documentation, recycled contracts, and unverifiable counterparties jeopardize deals and undermine market integrity. Selvaraj’s extensive frontline experience in trading exposed these vulnerabilities, insights that would become the foundation for a new way forward.
Stratos Trading operates through two distinct yet complementary arms. Stratos Trading is an active end buyer and title holder, supplying products exclusively to long-standing internal clients under structured, ongoing agreements. They do not sell into the open market, nor do they claim unlimited product availability or balance sheet capacity. When demand exceeds what Stratos Trading can supply, or when new clients wish to engage without Stratos taking on balance-sheet risk, Stratos Advisory steps in. The Advisory arm provides sourcing, verification, structuring, and execution guidance using the same stringent frameworks applied internally by Stratos. This approach is called the Stratos Framework, and brokers who join their ecosystem can become certified as Stratos Certified Operators, working under their strict SOPs and guidelines to ensure integrity and transparency.
The Role of Verification and Due Diligence
The firm’s commitment to verification is not just about meeting industry standards, it’s about setting new ones. “Fraud in this industry doesn’t look like chaos. It looks professional, well-documented, and believable,” Selvaraj explains. In response, Stratos has developed a multi-layered verification process that includes document forensics, counterparty due diligence, and procedural checks. This robust framework ensures all transactions meet the highest standards of integrity, significantly reducing risks that often arise from unverifiable claims or fabricated documentation.
Stratos Advisory: Education as a Driver of Change
As Stratos Trading grew, it became evident that simply executing deals with integrity wasn’t enough. There was a wider industry need for education and guidance on how to recognize and avoid the pitfalls of unverified and speculative deals. This realization led to the creation of Stratos Advisory, a consultancy service that bridges the gap between execution and governance.
Rather than operating in a theoretical or detached advisory capacity, Stratos Advisory works directly from the real-world experience gained through trading. It offers services ranging from document forensics and counterparty due diligence to strategic advisory on structuring deals. “We built Stratos to be the filter we wished existed when we were executing deals ourselves,” Selvaraj says.
Through this hands-on approach, Stratos Advisory helps clients, ranging from procurement teams to investment groups, navigate the high-risk, opaque markets in which they operate. In addition to their advisory services, Stratos is working to elevate industry standards by offering training programs that teach traders, buyers, and investors the importance of due diligence, verification, and how to spot red flags before committing capital.
Commitment to ESG: A Pragmatic Approach
Stratos Trading is also known for its practical approach to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations. Rather than adopting performative gestures, Stratos integrates ESG principles into their operations, focusing on responsible participation in markets where transparency and due diligence are crucial. This is particularly evident in sectors like coal, where responsible practices require honesty and due diligence, not oversimplified solutions.
Stratos’ ESG approach aligns with their core philosophy of disciplined decision-making and structured operations. By prioritizing supply chain due diligence and counterparty screening, the firm ensures that their trading activities adhere to high governance standards, regardless of market volatility or sector pressure.
Restoring Discipline in Global Trade
What sets Stratos apart from its competitors is not just its expertise in verification or advisory, but its foundational philosophy: restoring discipline to an industry that often operates on assumption and informal trust. “Integrity isn’t a marketing concept in global trade. It’s an operational requirement,” Selvaraj emphasizes. For Stratos, the goal is not just to be successful in the market, but to shift the industry toward a more structured and accountable approach to global trade.
While the company has made significant strides, Selvaraj acknowledges that the work is far from complete. “There is no ‘solution moment’ in global trade,” he says. “It’s about better decision-making, more discipline, and a commitment to refining our processes over time.” Stratos’ continuous refinement of its processes reflects a broader vision to build a more reliable and trustworthy trading environment for all participants.
A Continuous Evolution
As the global commodities market continues to evolve, Stratos Trading remains steadfast in its commitment to verification, due diligence, and transparency. The firm’s ongoing efforts to educate market participants and elevate industry standards are reshaping how global trade operates. In a world where trust is often in short supply, Stratos is proving that integrity and discipline can coexist with commercial success, setting a new precedent for how global commodities should be traded.
For more information on Stratos Trading’s approach to verification and governance, visit Stratos Trading Website. Visit the following links:
- Pradesh Raj Selvaraj: The Visionary Powering Global Energy AI
- Stratos Oil and Gas Facebook Page
- Pradesh Raj Selvaraj LinkedIn
- Stratos Oil and Gas Instagram
