Free Consultation | (800) 259-9010 International via WhatsApp: 713-227-2400 (text only) Línea Gratuita México 800-283-3403
HTG Capital Partners Files High-Frequency Trading Lawsuit Alleging That It Was the Victim of Spoofing
The Chicago high-frequency trading firm HTG Capital Partners is suing rival traders, claiming that “John Doe defendants” engaged in spoofing to manipulate the market. The illegal practice was outlawed in 2010 under the Dodd-Frank Act. Spoofing involves attempting to deceive market participants into thinking large orders for futures contracts are being made to get others to make trades.
The practice may involve a trader making large orders for selling or buying and then canceling the orders right away and doing the opposite. However, the fake bids and offers make it appear as if prices are moving. This lets trading algorithms take advantage of the slit-second changes that occur. Those who are spoofed end up selling for less or buying for more than they wanted.
HTG is seeking $100,000 in damages and wants CME Group, the derivatives exchange where the alleged spoofing occurred, to identify the defendants. High-frequency trading provides the cloak of anonymity. CME, which owns the New York Mercantile exchange and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, is the largest futures market in the world.