Sebi’s Jane Street ban: Zerodha’s Nithin Kamath shocked trading firm ‘kept at it despite warnings’; quips ‘they’re used to lenient US regulatory regime’

Market regulator Sebi’s sweeping action against global proprietary trading firm Jane Street has triggered wider concerns about India’s options markets, with Zerodha founder and CEO Nithin Kamath warning that the crackdown, while justified, could adversely affect retail trading activity and hit exchanges and brokers.“You’ve got to hand it to SEBI for going after Jane Street. If the allegations are true, it’s blatant market manipulation. The shocking part? They kept at it even after receiving warnings from the exchanges. Maybe this is what happens when you’re used to the lenient US regulatory regime. Think about the structure of U.S. markets: dark pools, payment for order flow, and other loopholes that allow hedge funds to make billions off retail investors. None of these practices would be allowed in India, thanks to our regulators,” Kamath posted on X.“That said, there’s a flip side. Prop trading firms like Jane Street account for nearly 50% of options trading volumes. If they pull back— which seems likely —retail activity (~35%) could take a hit too. So this could be bad news for both exchanges and brokers. The next few days will be telling. F&O volumes might reveal just how reliant we are on these prop giants. I’ll share more data as and when anything interesting turns up,” he added.Jane Street is accused of executing a massive Rs 36,500 crore scam by booking Rs 43,289 crore in options profits while deliberately incurring Rs 7,208 crore in losses in the futures and equities markets, according to an ET report. Sebi, in a 105-page interim order issued Thursday, said the firm manipulated market prices by gaming the auction mechanism on the NSE and the BSE, thereby distorting the true price discovery process.The interim order imposed sweeping restrictions on Jane Street and its related entities. The firms have been barred from accessing the securities market — directly or indirectly — and their bank, demat, and custodial accounts have been frozen. While no debits are permitted without Sebi’s approval, credits can be accepted. In addition, the regulator has ordered the impounding of Rs 4,843.57 crore in alleged illegal gains, to be placed in an escrow account with a lien in Sebi’s favour.The entities have also been prohibited from disposing of or alienating any of their assets in India until the full amount is deposited. Sebi has given Jane Street 21 days to file objections and has offered the opportunity for a personal hearing.In response, Jane Street told Reuters in an emailed statement: “Jane Street is committed to operating in compliance with all regulations in the regions we operate around the world. Jane Street disputes the findings of the SEBI interim order and will further engage with the regulator.”Meanwhile, stock exchanges have been instructed to closely monitor any future dealings by the firm to ensure there is no recurrence of similar behaviour.