>if hedge funds don't want to hire you, why do you think you are still capable to outsmart hedge funds while you can't answer their interview questions for trader role?

You're not playing the same "game" as hedge funds. They have different mandates and liquidity.

Putting 100 million into play on a position is completely different than 10k. You can choose different strategies, different trading vehicles, and different risk management parameters as a retail trader compared to an institutional trader.

So you don't necessarily need insider information or a massive technical infrastructure. You can get an edge, but it won't be the same edge you'd have running serious money.