Liquidity, not regulation, is key to avoid manipulation, says CFTC

Regulators should avoid the temptation to implement over zealous regulation of the energy derivatives market, and instead encourage the development of liquidity, if market manipulation is to be avoided. That was the message delivered by Sharon Brown-Hruska, Commissioner of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), at the Energy Risk conference in Houston today.

Following Enron’s demise, and the California power crisis, there has been a backlash against OTC energy trading in the US that is largely unwarranted, Brown-Hruska said. US politicians such as Senator Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, California), for example, have unsuccessfully sought to re-regulate OTC derivatives trading.

The CFTC has so far fined 20 major energy companies around $200 million in civil monetary penalties related to false price reporting and attempted manipulation of natural gas

Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.

To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@risk.net or view our subscription options here: http://subscriptions.risk.net/subscribe

You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@risk.net to find out more.

Sorry, our subscription options are not loading right now

Please try again later. Get in touch with our customer services team if this issue persists.

New to Risk.net? View our subscription options

Most read articles loading...

You need to sign in to use this feature. If you don’t have a Risk.net account, please register for a trial.

Sign in
You are currently on corporate access.

To use this feature you will need an individual account. If you have one already please sign in.

Sign in.

Alternatively you can request an individual account here