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A machine learning attack on illegal trading

Author

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  • James, Robert
  • Leung, Henry
  • Prokhorov, Artem

Abstract

We design an adaptive framework for the detection of illegal trading behavior. Its key component is an extension of a pattern recognition tool, originating from the field of signal processing and adapted to modern electronic systems of securities trading. The new method combines the flexibility of dynamic time warping with contemporary approaches from extreme value theory to explore large-scale transaction data and accurately identify illegal trading patterns. Importantly, our method does not need access to any confirmed illegal transactions for training. We use a high-frequency order book dataset provided by an international investment firm to show that the method achieves remarkable improvements over alternative approaches in the identification of suspected illegal insider trading cases.

Suggested Citation

  • James, Robert & Leung, Henry & Prokhorov, Artem, 2023. "A machine learning attack on illegal trading," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:148:y:2023:i:c:s0378426622003156
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2022.106735
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Illegal trading; Insider trading; Market manipulation; Market micro-structure; Order book; Machine learning;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G18 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • C55 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Large Data Sets: Modeling and Analysis

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