Warren asks Robinhood to explain trading restrictions

Warren asks Robinhood to explain trading restrictions
The Democratic senator wants to know whether the limits the online brokerage set on trading shares of GameStop and other companies were influenced by hedge fund investors or financial services partners.
FEB 02, 2021
By  Bloomberg

Sen. Elizabeth Warren is asking Robinhood Markets Inc. to explain its decision to restrict trading in shares of GameStop Inc. and other companies amid a frenzy that pushed shares of the video-game retailer to extraordinary levels.

In a letter dated Tuesday, the Massachusetts Democrat asked Robinhood Chief Executive Vladimir Tenev to disclose whether the restrictions might have been influenced by talks with hedge fund investors or financial services partners, including Citadel Securities.

She also sought assurances that Robinhood is meeting regulatory requirements and contractual obligations to retail customers.

”In addition to putting customers’ finances at risk, Robinhood’s actions revealed a new set of questions about its relationship with large hedge funds and other financial institutions, and follows past criticisms of Robinhood’s insufficient investor protections,” Warren wrote. She asked that the company respond by next Tuesday.

Warren and some other lawmakers have joined retail investors behind the surge in GameStop shares in questioning whether Robinhood imposed the trading curbs in coordination with Citadel Securities, the market maker that is one of the trading platform’s biggest sources of revenue.

Both Robinhood and Citadel have flatly denied any coordination or wrongdoing.

How Bitcoin stacks up as a safe haven

Latest News

Raymond James, Osaic laud new bank partnerships
Raymond James, Osaic laud new bank partnerships

A Texas-based bank selects Raymond James for a $605 million program, while an OSJ with Osaic lures a storied institution in Ohio from LPL.

Bessent backpedals after blowback on 'privatizing Social Security' comments
Bessent backpedals after blowback on 'privatizing Social Security' comments

The Treasury Secretary's suggestion that Trump Savings Accounts could be used as a "backdoor" drew sharp criticisms from AARP and Democratic lawmakers.

Alternative investment winners and losers in wake of OBBBA
Alternative investment winners and losers in wake of OBBBA

Changes in legislation or additional laws historically have created opportunities for the alternative investment marketplace to expand.

Financial advisors often see clients seeking to retire early; Here's what they tell them
Financial advisors often see clients seeking to retire early; Here's what they tell them

Wealth managers highlight strategies for clients trying to retire before 65 without running out of money.

Robinhood beats Q2 profit estimates as business goes beyond YOLO trading
Robinhood beats Q2 profit estimates as business goes beyond YOLO trading

Shares of the online brokerage jumped as it reported a surge in trading, counting crypto transactions, though analysts remained largely unmoved.

SPONSORED How advisors can build for high-net-worth complexity

Orion's Tom Wilson on delivering coordinated, high-touch service in a world where returns alone no longer set you apart.

SPONSORED RILAs bring stability, growth during volatile markets

Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.