Algo Bots and the Law
Technology, Automation, and the Regulation of Futures and Other Derivatives

An exploration of how financial market laws and regulations can - and should - govern the use of artificial intelligence.

Gregory Scopino (Author)

9781316616536, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 15 October 2020

250 pages
23 x 15.3 x 2.8 cm, 0.7 kg

'Algo Bots and the Law provides a deeply detailed journey through the history of futures and derivative markets regulation, from market definitions to how legal precedent influences current thinking on regulating electronic markets. … clear prose and good examples …' Mark S. Rzepczynski, Enterprising Investor

The trillion-dollar markets for futures, swaps, commodity options, and related derivatives are extremely important to the global economy because, among other things, they influence the prices that people pay for everything from heating oil and bread to the interest rates connected to mortgages and student loans. Due to technological advances in automation and artificial intelligence, these markets have recently undergone a dramatic transformation away from human-centered trading and operations to control by high-speed automated systems. In this work, Gregory Scopino explains how such changes present challenges to the oversight of these markets and discusses potential ways for authorities to address issues presented by computerized trading and related systems. This book should be read by anyone interested in learning how artificial intelligence is used in the financial markets and how those markets are - and should be - regulated.

Preface
Introduction: 1. Key concepts: algorithms, artificial intelligence, and more
2. Economic definitions of common derivatives
3. Legal and regulatory definitions of derivatives and other financial instruments
4. FinTech: from science fiction to non-fiction
5. The regulatory framework for the US derivatives markets
6. Gateways to the futures markets-FCMs
7. Collective investment vehicles and investment advisors
8. Salespeople, supervisors, owners, and enumerated others
9. Trading floor denizens
10. Regulating digital intermediaries
11. States of mind: from zero to specific intent
12. Market manipulation: then and now
13. Fraud is many things (for humans and robots)
14. Disruptive trading practices
15. Spoofing: market disruption made easy by technology
16. Adequately supervising the overseers of algo bots
17. Flash events
18. Algo bots all over the world
19. Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Financial services law & regulation [LNPF], Capital markets & securities law & regulation [LNPD], Banking law [LNPB], Financial law [LNP], Criminal law & procedure [LNF], Finance [KFF]