Automated securities trading

Abstract

Technological developments have permitted rapid changes in the structures of securities trading markets. These changes call for a reevaluation of regulatory regimes. For example, because divergent market structures competing for order flow may fall within different regulatory structures, the proper allocation of regulatory costs should be weighed. Because of the open access by all investors to all markets that technology permits, regulators need to examine the level of oversight necessary to ensure the protection of investors. Because of existing statutory limits, automated systems may pose particular problems in the U.S. regarding the appropriate levels of regulation for non-intermediated trading and cross-border systems that are regulated by an overseas authority. On another topic, automation facilitates increased transparency. In turn, transparency promotes investor protection, encourages market liquidity, and fosters the efficiency of securities markets by facilitating price discovery and open competition, thus reducing the effects of fragmentation. In the end, because it enhances the efficiency of the market's price discovery function and liquidity, transparancy contributes to the efficient allocation of scarce capital among competing demands for that capital. Finally, regulators should participate in the review of automated systems integrity, especially in the areas of capacity, security, and disaster recovery.