High-frequency traders locate servers as close as possible to exchange data centres to execute trades as quickly as possible to beat rivals. Officials have threatened to hike fees for high-frequency traders, although so far they haven’t done so. Metals prices had already steadied on Thursday after powerful gains at the start of 2026. Still, high metals prices risk putting off buyers, and there have already been signs of pushback in the key Chinese market, where physical demand has been relatively weak. The move to curtail high-frequency trading affects other platforms, including the Guangzhou Futures Exchange that hosts commodities including lithium, platinum and palladium.

Source: The Edge Markets January 16, 2026 10:11 UTC