Regulators Investigate Unusual Oil Futures Trades Before Trump Announcement

U.S. regulators are investigating a series of unusual oil futures trades that took place minutes before a surprise announcement by President Trump last month. According to Bloomberg News, the investigation is being led by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which is examining trading activity on platforms operated by CME Group and Intercontinental Exchange.

The inquiry focuses on at least two instances over a two-week period where trading volumes increased significantly just prior to key announcements from the White House. The CFTC is seeking Tag 50 identifiers, which can help identify the individuals behind these trades. Both CME Group and Intercontinental Exchange have been asked to provide relevant records.

While the CFTC and ICE declined to comment on the investigation, CME Group stated that any review of market behavior should also consider new platforms such as prediction markets. "Nothing is more important than market integrity," a spokesperson at CME told CNBC.

"We vigorously surveil our markets and work closely with the CFTC to oversee trading activity.

CNBC previously reported on the suspicious activity when S&P 500 e-mini futures and West Texas Intermediate May crude futures saw a sudden and isolated surge in volume in otherwise muted premarket trading. S. and Iran had held talks and that he was halting planned strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure.

5% ahead of the open, and WTI crude oil futures tumbling nearly 6%. The sudden, simultaneous spikes in trading volumes raised concerns among market participants, particularly given the absence of clear news or triggers at that time.

Officials have called for investigations into these unusual trading patterns to determine if there has been any misuse of nonpublic government information.