Two different "disruptive trading" cases had disciplinary notices issued today - the notices are here and here. The notices speak to large layered orders on one side of the market with resulting trades from smaller resting orders on the other side of the market and subsequent cancellation of the layered orders. The fines was $45K in one case and $65K with a $41K+ disgorgement in the other. This is a scenario we have covered on this blog a number of times before.
What DCM wants to reflect on this time is the length of time these cases may have consumed. In one case, the trades were done in November 2017; in the other, January, 2018. The settlement hearing in both cases was August 2019. Even if it took the exchange 6 months to start the investigation that is still over 12 months for this process. That is twelve months of internal, and probably external, legal effort with its associated cost. Twelve months of disruption on the desk with the need for traders to respond to questions. Twelve month of staff going through order level data recreation and analysis.
This process costs soft dollars and likely large quantity hard dollars for outside counsel, It reduces the efficiency of your trading operations. 
That is the real impact of trading oversight failures - the long, steady impact on your business. Consider that when you are considering the review of your compliance program.

The CME issued an extensive market advisory here that covers the CME/CBOT/NYMEX/COMEX markets. The advisory is 13 pages and the cover note does hit the highlights. Just to make it clear - this is a change to a prior advisory in May and includes all the information in that notice PLUS several new items. These are:
1. If a CME product is block traded in a strategy with a non-CME product (e..g, I trade a block on CME WTI and a block on ICE Brent as a paired set of blocks), the CME leg of the block will be considered as an "outright" on the CME leg and the "fair and reasonable" pricing test for the block will only consider the CME product price. So if the spread would create a CME price that is outside the fair and reasonable range, the block is improper.
2. Pre-hedging advisory content is changed significantly. The points DCM feels are major are:

• " initial disclosures in account opening agreements or other similar communications may be deemed insufficient in the event that the block trade negotiation itself is indicative of the party assuming agency duties to the counterparty."
• "Working an order" or instances where the basis for the block pricing is the pre-hedging value plus an adder "is viewed by Market Regulation as "agency duties are owed to the counterparty. In such scenarios, pre-hedging is prohibited."
• It is fairly easy to remove any agency responsibility - CME indicates a text footer or email disclosure for that trade or a simple statement on a recorded line are all sufficient.
• That said, the CME position appears to indicate there is an affirmative duty to assure no agency relationship exists for each trade.

3. CME added a note in the block trade timing to include a specific reference to spread trades in the highlighted note at the end of Section 7 of the notice. The change reads:

• "In that regard, spread block trades are deemed consummated at the time the parties agree to the differential or combination price, not the time the leg prices are determined."
• Note, this could start your fifteen minute clock running while you negotiate the legs. It also means you cannot say done on a spread and then say, let's agree to the leg prices later and we will post it - that is not allowable.

Some of these changes may have a significant impact on how your trades do bilateral blocks (if you allow them) - you should be aware and should inform them of the need to be careful in communication and timing.

. Today the Intercontinental Exchange issued a disciplinary notice in the equities markets (Russell 2000). They specifically noted the individual was a "manual trader"  The issue was on "multiple instances", the trader acted in "a pattern of placing and layering multiple orders on one side of the orderbook while placing a single order on the opposite side".
Also in keeping with the increased use of disruptive trading - as opposed to "spoofing" - as the offense, the exchange noted multiple impacts from the actions were to "create false depth, put pressure on the market, and mislead market participants into trading against, or moving the market closer to, his opposing single order.".
DCM still sees firms believing spoofing or failure to enter orders with an intent to deliver is only of concern regarding automated trading - either true hugh frequency trading or even OMS based trading processes. The facts would indicate that the majority of case, though smaller fines, are for manual trading activity - and frequently in the pre-open.
​The full order is here. The fine was $40K and there was a 1 month suspension from the all ICE US Futures markets.

The CFTC issues a press release here discussing the consent order executed on August 9 and 12 by the parties. The order is an injunction upon Kraft to prohibit Kraft from any violation of Sections 6(c)(1) (unlawful to use any swap or contract for sale for deceptive purposes), Section 6(c)(3) and 9(a)(2) (unlawful to attempt to manipulate the price of any swap, commodity in interstate commerce, or any commodity for future delivery), Section 4a(b) or 4a(e) (unlawful to hold long or short position in violation of position limits) or Section 4c(a) (unlawful to confirm an execution that is a wash sale) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

The CFTC had alleged that Kraft took positions in the physical market and then took swap positions based on their knowledge that they would reverse the physical positions in a manner that would cause the swaps to experience gains well in excess of any losses from the reversing physical transactions. Kraft had expressed the defense that the positions and activities were undertaken in their normal course of business as a commodity consumer. This consent order closes the proceedings.

The fine was $16 million dollars. The Court Consent Order is available below.
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS EASTERN DIVSION 
U.S. COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION, 
Plaintiff, 
v. 
KRAFT FOODS GROUP, INC. and MONDELEZ GLOBAL LLC, 
Defendants, 
Case No. 15 CV 2881 
Hon. John Robert Blakey 
CONSENT ORDER 
On April 1, 2015, Plaintiff Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the "Commission" 
or "CFTC") filed a Complaint for Injunctive Relief, Civil Monetary Penalties, and Other 
Equitable Relief [1] against Defendants Kraft Foods Group, Inc. and Mondelez Global LLC 
( collectively, "Defendants") alleging that Defendants used or attempted to use a manipulative or 
deceptive device in connection with the December 2011 wheat futures contract traded on the 
Chicago Board of Trade (Count I), manipulated or attempted to manipulate the price of the 
December 2011 wheat futures contract and of cash wheat (Count II), unlawfully held December 
2011 wheat futures positions in excess of speculative position limits (Count Ill), and engaged in 
wash sales or fictitious sales by trading both sides of EFP contracts (Count IV) in violation of 
Sections 4a(b), 4a(e), 4c(a), 6(c)(l), 6(c)(3), and 9(a)(2) of the Commodity Exchange Act 
("CEA"), 7 U.S.C. §§ 6a(b), 6a(e), 6c(a), 9(1), 9(3), 13(a)(2) (2012), and Commission 
Regulations ("Regulations") 1.38, 150.2, 180.1, and 180.2, 17 C.F.R. §§ 1.38, 150.2, 180.1, 
180.2 (2014). 
Case: 1:15-cv-02881 Document #: 310 Filed: 08/14/19 Page 2 of 9 PageID #:23993
Defendants filed their Answer [88]onJanuary 15, 2016, and have denied that they (1) used 
or attempted to use a manipulative or deceptive device in connection with the December 2011 
wheat futures contract traded on the Chicago Board ofTrade as alleged by the CFTC in Count I of 
the Complaint; (2) manipulated or attempted to manipulate the price of the December 2011 wheat 
futures contract and of cash wheat as alleged by the CFTC in Count II of the Complaint; (3) 
unlawfully held December 2011 wheat futures positions in excess ofspeculative position limits as 
alleged by the CFTC in Count III of the Complaint; and ( 4) engaged in wash sales or fictitious 
sales by trading both sides of EFP contracts as alleged by the CFTC in Count IV of the 
Complaint. Defendants denied any violation of Sections 4a(b), 4a(e), 4c(a), 6(c)(l), 6(c)(3), and 
9(a)(2) of the CEA, 7 U.S.C. §§ 6a(b), 6a(e), 6c(a), 9(1), 9(3), 13(a)(2) (2012), and Regulations 
1.38, 150.2, 180.1, and 180.2, 17 C.F.R. §§ 1.38, 150.2, 180.1, 180.2 (2014 ). 
The CFTC and Defendants have reached a resolution and are settling this action in 
accordance with the terms arising from the Court's settlement conference on March 22, 2019 and 
as set forth below. 
I. CONSENTS AND AGREEMENTS 
To effect settlement of the matters alleged in the Complaint without a trial on the merits or 
any further judicial proceedings: 
1. The CFTC and Defendants consent to the entry of this Consent Order and agree to 
be bound by its terms; 
2. The Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action 
pursuant to Section 6c of the Act, 7 U.S.C. § 13a-l (2012); 
3. The CFTC has jurisdiction over the conduct and transactions at issue in this action 
pursuant to the Act, 7U.S.C. §§ 1-26(2012); 
4. Venue properly lies with this Court pursuant to Section 6c(e) of the Act, 7 U.S.C. 
Case: 1:15-cv-02881 Document #: 310 Filed: 08/14/19 Page 3 of 9 PageID #:23993
§ 13a-l( e )(2012); 
5. The CFTC and Defendants waive any and all rights of appeal from this action; 
6. The CFTC and Defendants consent to the continued jurisdiction of this Court over 
them for the purpose of implementing and enforcing the terms of this Consent Order; 
7. The CFTC and Defendants do not consent to the use of this Consent Order by any 
patiy in any other proceeding; 
8. Neither paiiy shall make any public statement about this case other than to refer to 
the terms of this settlement agreement or public documents filed in this case, except any patiy 
may take any lawful position in any legal proceedings, testimony or by court order. 
II. INJUNCTION 
Nothing in this Order reflects an agreement or a legal determination that Defendants have 
or have not violated any provision of the CEA. Defendants agree to, and the Comi hereby 
orders, the entry of an injunction prohibiting the Defendants from in the future violating any of the 
following provisions: 
(a) Section 6(c)(l) of the CEA, 7 U.S.C. § 9(1) (2012), and Regulation 180.1, 17 C.F.R. § 180.1 (2018), which makes it unlawful for any person to use or employ or attempt to use or employ, in connection with any swap, or a contract of sale of any commodity in interstate commerce, or for future delivery on or subject to the rules of any registered entity, any manipulative or deceptive device or contrivance; 
(b) Sections 6(c)(3) and 9(a)(2) of the CEA, 7 U.S.C. §§ 9(3), 13(a)(2) (2012), and Regulation 180.2, 17 C.F.R. § 180.2 (2018), which make it unlawful for any person to manipulate or attempt to manipulate the price of any swap, or of any commodity in interstate commerce, or for future delivery on or subject to the rules of any registered entity; 
(c) Sections 4a(b) and 4a(e) of the CEA, 7 U.S.C. §§ 6a(b), 6a(e)(2012), and Regulation 150.2, 17 C.F.R. § 150.2 (2018), which make it unlawful to hold or control a net long or short position in any commodity for future delivery on or subject to the rules of any contract market in excess of any position limit fixed by the Commission for or with respect to such commodity, or violate a rule of a contract market or board of trade 
Case: 1:15-cv-02881 Document #: 310 Filed: 08/14/19 Page 4 of 9 PageID #:23993
fixing limits on the amount of trading which may be done or positions which may be held by any person if such rule was approved by the CFTC; and 
(d) Section 4c(a)ofthe CEA, 7 U.S.C. § 6c(a)(2012), and Regulation 1.38, 17 C.F.R. § 1.38 (2018), which makes it unlawful to offer to enter into, enter into or confirm the execution of a transaction involving the purchase or sale of any commodity for future delivery that is, is of the character of, or is commonly known to the trade as a 'wash sale,' that is a fictitious sale, or that is used to cause any price to be reported, registered, or recorded that is not a true and bona fide price, or that is executed noncompetitively but not in accordance with the written rules of the contract market which have been submitted to and approved by the Commission. 
III. CIVIL MONETARY PENALTY 
Defendants agree to pay, and the Court orders, a monetary penalty according to the terms 
set fmih below: 
1. Defendant Mondelez Global shall pay a civil monetary penalty in the amount of 
SIXTEEN MILLION DOLLARS ($16,000,000) ("CMP Obligation") within ninety (90) days of 
the date of entry of this Consent Order. Defendants are jointly and severally liable for the CMP 
Obligation. If the CMP Obligation is not paid in full within ninety days of the date of entry of this 
Consent Order, then post-judgment interest shall accrue on the CMP Obligation beginning on the 
date of entry of this Consent Order and shall be determined by using the Treasury Bill rate 
prevailing on the date of entry of this Consent Order pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1961 (2012). 
2. Defendant Mondelez Global shall pay the CMP Obligation and any post-judgment 
interest by electronic funds transfer, U.S. postal money order, cetiified check, bank cashier's 
check, or bank money order. If payment is to be made other than by electronic funds transfer, 
then the payment shall be made payable to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and 
sent to the address below: 
MMAC/ESC/ AMK326 Commodity Futures Trading Commission Division of Enforcement 6500 S. MacAtihur Blvd. 
Case: 1:15-cv-02881 Document #: 310 Filed: 08/14/19 Page 5 of 9 PageID #:23993
HQ Room 181 Oklahoma City, OK 73169 ( 405) 954-6569 office (405) 954-1620 fax 9-AMC-AR-CFTC@faa.gov 
If payment by electronic funds transfer is chosen, Defendants shall contact Marie Thome or her 
successor at the address above to receive payment instructions and shall fully comply with those 
instructions. Defendants shall accompany payment of the CMP Obligation with a cover letter that 
identifies Defendants and the name and docket number of this proceeding. Defendants shall 
simultaneously transmit copies of the cover letter and the form of payment to the Chief Financial 
Officer, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Tlu-ee Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st Street, 
NW, Washington, D.C. 20581. 
3. Partial Satisfaction: Acceptance by the CFTC of any partial payment of 
Defendants' CMP Obligation shall not be deemed a waiver of their obligation to make further 
payments pursuant to this Consent Order, or a waiver of the CFTC's right to seek to compel 
payment of any remaining balance. 
IV. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
4. Notice: All notices required to be given by any provision in this Consent Order 
shall be sent certified mail, return receipt requested, with reference to the name and docket 
number of this action, asfollows: 
Notice to the CFTC: 
Scott Williamson, Acting Deputy Director U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Division of Enforcement 525 W. Monroe St., Suite 1100 Chicago, IL 60661 
Notice to Defendants: 
Kraft Foods Group, Inc. and Mondelez Global LLC 
Case: 1:15-cv-02881 Document #: 310 Filed: 08/14/19 Page 6 of 9 PageID #:23993
C/O Jenner & Block LLP Attn: Dean N. Panos and J. Kevin McCall 353 N. Clark Street Chicago, IL 60654-3456 
5. Change of Address/Phone: Until such time as Defendants satisfy in full their 
CMP Obligation as set forth in this Consent Order, Defendants shall provide written notice to the 
CFTC by certified mail of any change to their telephone number or mailing address within ten 
calendar days of the change 
6. Entire Agreement and Amendments: This Consent Order incorporates all of the 
te1ms and conditions of the settlement among the pmties hereto to date. Nothing shall serve to 
amend or modify this Consent Order in any respect whatsoever, unless: (a) reduced to writing; (b) 
signed by all pmties hereto; and (c) approved by order of this Court. 
7. Invalidation: If any provision of this Consent Order or if the application of any 
provision or circumstance is held invalid, then the remainder of this Consent Order and the 
application of the provision to any other person or circumstance shall not be affected by the 
holding. 
8. Waiver: The failure of any pmty to this Consent Order at any time to require 
performance of any provision of this Consent Order shall in no manner affect the right of the 
pmty at a later time to enforce the same or any other provision of this Consent Order. No waiver in 
one or more instances of the breach of any provision contained in this Consent Order shall be 
deemed to be or construed as a fmther or continuing waiver of such breach or waiver of the 
breach of any other provision of this Consent Order. 
9. Continuing Jurisdiction of this Comt: Upon entry by the Court of this Consent 
Order all of the claims asserted by the CFTC in the Complaint are dismissed with prejudice. 
However, this Court shall retain jurisdiction of this action to ensure compliance with this Consent 
Case: 1:15-cv-02881 Document #: 310 Filed: 08/14/19 Page 7 of 9 PageID #:23993
Order. 
I 0. Injunctive Provisions: The injunctive provisions of this Consent Order shall be 
binding upon Defendants, upon any person under their authority or control, and upon any person 
who receives actual notice of this Consent Order insofar as he or she is acting in active conce1i or 
participation with Defendants. 
11. Authority: Undersigned Counsel for Defendants hereby warrants that he is the 
attorney for Defendants Kraft Foods Group, Inc. and Mondelez Global LLC, and that this 
Consent Order has been duly authorized by Defendants Kraft Foods Group, Inc. and Mondelez 
Global LLC, and that he has been duly empowered to sign and submit this Consent Order on 
behalf of Defendants Kraft Foods Group, Inc.and Mondelez Global LLC. 
12. Counterpa1is and Execution: This Consent Order may be executed in two or more 
counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become 
effective when one or more counterpmis have been signed by each of the pmiies hereto and 
delivered (by hand delivery or certified mail) to the other pmiy, it being understood that all 
parties need not sign the same counterpmi. Any counterpart or other signature to this Consent 
Order that is delivered by any means shall be deemed for all purposes as constituting good and 
valid execution and delivery by such party of this Consent Order. 
There being no just reason for delay, the Clerk of the Couti is hereby directed to enter 
this Consent Order. 
IT IS SO ORDERED on this 14th day of August, 2019.

While there have been multiple disciplinary notices from the CME regarding entering orders without intent in the pre-open, a disciplinary notice from ICE US Futures is the first from that entity that DCM has noted regarding per-open orders entered without intent to trade but rather for market intelligence. 
The ICE notice references two factors: "the intent to determine market depth and the effect these orders would have on the Indicative Opening Price (“IOP”)." This has been a common theme for these types of disciplinary actions - using orders as an information gathering tool, not for execution. It should be noted that the recent CME and ICE notices reference "disrptuive trading" which is the name of the general rule that covers entering orders without intent to execute, even if they are not intended to move the market to enable a trade in the opposite direction. Companies should be using this term regardless of whether they also use "spoofing" as a term in their training.
It feels like a broken record repeating this but I have had multiple conversations with different regulators and they all have a common view of US futures markets - that these are markets for execution, not negotiation. If you wish to utilize the futures markets for anything other than execution, your actions are improper. to the regulators, just the act of entering these orders causes other participants to misunderstand the liquidity of the market and, therefore, that order is disruptive.
You are allowed to change your mind based on information received after the order is placed but you to have intent to execute when the order is entered.
The fine was $50K and a ten day suspension from accessing the market. notice is case no. 2017-023 from ICE US Futures issued August 14, 2019. I do not have a link to the notice at this time.