Brad Katsuyama

Brad Katsuyama, who was prominently featured in Michael Lewis's best-seller "Flash Boys: A Wall Street Revolt," has been a significant figure in the financial sector. The book exposes the practice of computerized high-frequency trading (HFT), which has enabled some entities to manipulate the stock market for their gain. Formerly the Head of Electronic Sales & Trading at RBC, Katsuyama discovered small inconsistencies in trading that cumulatively cost clients and other major market stakeholders millions of dollars. He was pivotal in recognizing and bringing to light the manipulation within this computerized trading system.

Katsuyama's insights led him to address and mitigate the effects of high-frequency trading tactics. He played a crucial role in the establishment of IEX (the Investors Exchange), a novel stock trading platform aimed at fostering equity by leveraging technology. This platform was designed to counteract the disadvantages imposed by traditional exchanges dominated by high-frequency trading practices, thereby promoting a fairer trading environment.

Today, Katsuyama continues to advocate for transparency and fairness in financial markets. His efforts at IEX and beyond are centered around creating systems that prioritize the interests of all market participants, ensuring that the trading environment is equitable for investors of all sizes. His work with IEX, as well as his broader contributions to finance, underscore his commitment to correcting systemic imbalances in the trading world.