While Bitcoin has been relatively more stable than high-frequency-traded US equity markets in the last few weeks, the news that HFT tool provider Perseus Telecom will be accepting Bitcoin for its services. As The FT reports [6], move highlights high-frequency traders’ increasing interest in trading Bitcoin as global regulators indicate a growing acceptance of fast-emerging digital currencies - despite several high-profile arrests.Perseus CEO, Jock Mr Percy said the extension of high-frequency trading into virtual currencies would change the nature of the Bitcoin market over time.
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Via The FT, [6]
A company that develops the tools used by high-frequency traders has become the first market infrastructure provider to accept payment for services in Bitcoins.
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Perseus Telecom, a US trading technology group, said on Thursday it would accept the controversial digital currency for its services worldwide and process transactions with GoCoin, the payment platform.
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High-frequency traders use complex algorithms and superfast computers to trade in and out of assets in fractions of seconds. Bitcoin is of interest in part because of its electronic nature and because its high daily volatility potentially offers lucrative returns. Many superfast traders have found profitability tougher in recent years in mature and competitive markets such as equities and foreign exchange.
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Mr Percy said the extension of high-frequency trading into virtual currencies would change the nature of the Bitcoin market over time. “At the moment, [HFT] is still a small part of the market as there are a lot of retail investors trading Bitcoin. In time the spreads will narrow.”