What is High-Frequency Trading (HFT) and what are the requirements?
High-Frequency Trading (HFT) is a subset of Program Trading characterized by extremely high order rates and volumes. Under HK & China regulations, you are considered an HFT trader if your trading meets either of these thresholds:
- More than 300 orders per second,
or
- More than 20,000 orders in a single trading day
What should I do if I am an HFT trader?
- Complete the fields in the Program Trading Application Form for High Frequency Trading.
- Submit the program test report and contingency plan as required.
Are there ongoing compliance requirements? (HFT-specific version)
Yes. After approval:
- You must adhere to the parameters specified in your application
- Any significant changes to your trading approach require updated reporting
- Your trading patterns will be monitored for compliance
- Exceeding HFT thresholds (300+ orders/second or 20,000+ daily orders) requires additional reporting
Who can I contact for assistance?
For questions about Program Trading requirements or application process, please contact our Support team Client Service/ Sales team and copy complianceopsapac@interactivebrokers.com^^.
Additional Information