Tuesday, November 24, 2015

FX Brokers Investigated by NYS AG for Spoofing

The New York State Attorney General is investigating FX brokers for spoofing on their electronic platforms. The investigation is looking into whether or not the brokers did this in FX options for emerging market (EM) currencies, to create the illusion of more trading and liquidity in order to increase customer demand for these instruments. FX options in EM currencies tend to be illiquid with a limited amount of trading.

Spoofing is the posting of orders to buy or sell with the intent of cancelling them without execution. While spoofing is frequently used as a means to lead a market in a particular direction, here it seems the concern is that brokers were trying to create the appearance of a more liquid, vibrant market in order to lure additional trades onto the brokers' FX EM options platforms. The AG is reported to have subpoenaed records from brokers including TFS-ICAP, Tullett Prebon, BGC Partners and GFI Group.

No comments:

Post a Comment