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Sebi's ban on Jane Street: Could it rattle Dalal Street?

Sebi's ban on Jane Street: Could it rattle Dalal Street?

India Today09-07-2025
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has taken a strong step as the regulator has barred U.S.-based trading firm Jane Street from operating in the equity and derivatives markets.The decision came after an investigation found the firm was involved in manipulative trading practices.This move is being seen as one of the most serious actions taken by Sebi against a global trading firm. While the ban is focused on a single player, many believe it may have wider effects on liquidity, trading volumes, investor confidence, and even foreign investor behaviour.A MAJOR LIQUIDITY PROVIDER IS OUTJane Street is not just another foreign investor. It is one of the largest high-frequency trading and market-making firms in the world. Its strategies involve trading large volumes and providing tight buy-sell spreads that help maintain liquidity in the markets.Now that Sebi has banned the firm, many worry that liquidity, especially in Nifty and Bank Nifty options may fall. These contracts see a lot of activity from both institutional and retail traders. If fewer firms provide liquidity, the cost of trading could rise. This happens because wider spreads make it harder for traders to enter and exit positions efficiently.Even before Sebi's order was made public, derivatives turnover on Indian exchanges had already fallen by 13–17% in June. With Jane Street now out, this drop may continue, especially if other similar firms come under the radar.BROKERAGES AND EXCHANGES MAY FEEL THE PINCHThe fall in derivatives volumes has already begun to hurt the market-related businesses.Shares of listed brokerages like Angel One and Nuvama Wealth, as well as the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), dropped between 6% and 9% after the Sebi order. These companies earn a significant part of their income from trading activity, and lower volumes could hurt their revenue in the short term.There's also concern among brokerages that global institutional clients could reduce their activity or delay new strategies if they feel India is becoming difficult for complex trading models. Some fear a slowdown in foreign inflows into the derivatives market.WILL FOREIGN FIRMS RETHINK INDIA STRATEGY? Dinesh Thakkar, Chairman and Managing Director of Angel One, said the controversy surrounding Jane Street should not be seen as a danger to the overall Indian market, even though it has sparked debate around proprietary trading.'Retail participation in equity derivatives has grown from just 2% in 2018 to over 40% in 2025. This influx fuels liquidity, volatility, and, with it, opportunity. Proprietary trading desks thrive in such environments, leveraging high-frequency and algorithmic strategies," he said on LinkedIn. He further said that India's market growth is being supported by long-term trends rather than short-term cycles. Key drivers include political stability, strong domestic demand, favourable demographics, and a steady inflation environment.Thakkar also mentioned that global interest in India remains strong. Despite Jane Street's exit, other international trading firms such as Citadel Securities, Jump Trading, Optiver, IMC, and Millennium are actively expanding their presence in India by setting up offices, hiring Indian professionals, and investing in infrastructure.'When one firm leaves, others usually move in quickly to fill the space,' Thakkar said.Sebi's action makes it clear that big global firms are not above scrutiny. This may prompt some foreign trading companies to reassess how they operate in India.While no large firm has publicly stated that it will exit or reduce its India exposure, insiders suggest that some firms may slow down their investment plans or adopt a cautious approach.This could mean that India, which has become the world's largest derivatives market by contracts traded, may see reduced global participation for a while.A POSITIVE SIGNAL FOR RETAIL TRADERS?Interestingly, the move may turn out to be good news for retail investors. The derivatives market has seen a big rise in retail participation over the last few years, especially in options. But many of these traders face losses due to the complexity of the products and the presence of faster, algorithm-based strategies.By cracking down on what it believes is manipulative trading, Sebi is sending a strong message that it is serious about protecting retail investors. Losses in retail F&O trading reportedly crossed Rs 1 lakh crore in FY25, raising concerns about fairness in the system.If this leads to more checks on complex strategies and helps clean up the market, retail participation may become more balanced and long-term in nature.(Disclaimer: The views, opinions, recommendations, and suggestions expressed by experts/brokerages in this article are their own and do not reflect the views of the India Today Group. It is advisable to consult a qualified broker or financial advisor before making any actual investment or trading choices.)- Ends
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