As financial markets worldwide grapple with the complexities of short-selling practices, the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) has unveiled bold proposals to curb abusive short-selling, spotlighting a growing global concern about market manipulation.
Meanwhile, in the United States, retail investors are intensifying their fight against illegal short-selling tactics, leveraging social media platforms to raise awareness and demand accountability.
With the incoming Trump Administration signaling a focus on market integrity, particularly through the lens of Trump Media & Technology Group’s vocal stance against naked short selling, the stage is set for a pivotal moment in the battle to protect retail investors from predatory financial practices.
OSC’s Crackdown on Abusive Short Selling
On June 5, 2025, the OSC announced a comprehensive set of proposals aimed at addressing manipulative short-selling practices that undermine fair and transparent capital markets.
The regulator’s initiative targets two primary concerns: short selling with insider knowledge of forthcoming securities offerings and the subsequent impact of such trades in driving down offering prices.
These practices, often difficult to prosecute under existing insider trading and market manipulation rules, enable traders to profit by covering shorts with discounted securities from the financing, to the detriment of issuers and investors.
The OSC’s proposed rules would introduce a broad prohibition on trading linked to offerings, eliminating the need to prove intent, materiality, or market price impact.
This approach aligns with regulations in the United States, where the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has established similar frameworks, and complements efforts by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) to enhance trade settlement processes and reduce failed trades.
The OSC’s move follows recommendations from the 2021 Capital Markets Modernization Taskforce, which highlighted the need to modernize short-sale regulations to protect market integrity.
Related: SEC Now Responds to Retail Investors on Illegal Manipulation
U.S. Retail Investors Take a Stand
Across the border, U.S. retail investors are waging their own battle against what they perceive as systemic market manipulation, particularly naked short selling—a practice where shares are sold short without first borrowing them, potentially flooding the market with “phantom” shares and depressing stock prices.
This issue has gained significant traction among retail investors, who have become increasingly vocal on platforms like X, Reddit, and other social media channels.
Posts on X reflect the growing frustration among retail traders, with users like @JimR65_ calling out the “naked shorting fraud draining their wallets daily” and urging President-elect Donald Trump to take decisive action.
Another user, @marketsniperpro, highlighted Trump Media & Technology Group’s recent complaints to the SEC about alleged illegal bearish bets against its stock by a U.K.-based hedge fund, underscoring the personal stakes for Trump in addressing these issues.
Retail investors are also leveraging advanced tools to combat manipulation.
For instance, @sharpie510 noted the use of AI-driven detection systems to uncover manipulative practices in stocks like AMC, GameStop, Northwest Biotherapeutics, and FingerMotion.
These efforts signal a shift toward greater empowerment for retail investors, who are no longer passive participants but active advocates for transparency and fairness.
Also Read: A New System Meant To Detect Illegal Short Selling Now Uncovers Two Cases
Trump Administration and Market Integrity
The incoming Trump Administration has added fuel to the retail investor movement, with posts on X suggesting that President-elect Trump is poised to investigate market makers and short sellers.
On November 13, 2024, Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company of Truth Social, has been a vocal critic of naked short selling, accusing certain hedge funds of manipulating its stock price.
This aligns with broader retail investor concerns, as the company’s complaints resonate with those of individual investors who feel victimized by similar tactics.
The advocacy group We The Investors has also pushed for an executive order to ban naked shorting, proposing strict penalties for failures-to-deliver (FTDs), which occur when shares are not delivered after a trade.
With Trump’s second term beginning on January 20, 2025, retail investors are hopeful that his administration will prioritize market reforms.
Trump’s history of using tariffs and executive actions to address economic issues, as seen in his recent threats of 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, suggests a willingness to take bold steps.
Whether this translates into concrete action against illegal short selling remains to be seen, but the retail investor community is watching closely.
Social Media: A Catalyst for Change
Social media has become a powerful tool for retail investors to organize, share information, and pressure regulators and policymakers.
Platforms like X have amplified voices that might otherwise be drowned out by institutional players.
The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) has acknowledged the transformative impact of social media on retail investing, noting in a November 2024 report that digital platforms pose both opportunities and risks.
In the U.S., retail investors are using social media not only to highlight specific instances of alleged manipulation but also to educate others about market mechanics.
This grassroots movement has drawn comparisons to the 2021 GameStop saga, where retail investors coordinated via Reddit to counter short-selling hedge funds.
Today’s efforts are more sophisticated, with AI tools and data analytics enabling investors to detect irregularities and share findings in real time.
The question is, will our regulators begin to use it?
Challenges and the Path Forward
Despite the momentum, combating illegal short selling faces significant hurdles.
Proving manipulation requires substantial evidence, and regulators like the SEC and OSC often face challenges in enforcing existing rules due to the complexity of proving intent or material impact.
The OSC’s proposed rules aim to address this by simplifying enforcement, but similar reforms in the U.S. would require coordination between the SEC, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and other bodies—under the Trump Administration.
Retail investors also face risks from misinformation and speculative narratives on social media, as seen with AMC’s “APE”, when countless influencers misinformed retail investors about what it meant for their portfolios.
A Global Call for Fair Markets
The OSC’s proposals and the U.S. retail investor movement reflect a broader global push for fair and transparent markets.
In Europe, industry groups have urged the EU to relax short-selling disclosure rules, arguing they expose investors to retaliation, but regulators remain focused on protecting retail investors from manipulation.
In the U.S., the Department of Justice’s investigation into price-fixing in the PVC pipe market, spurred by a short-seller report, highlights the role of activist short sellers in uncovering misconduct—yet also underscores the fine line between legitimate short selling and abusive practices.
Under the Trump Administration, many retail investors continue to be optimistic that their calls for reform will be heard.
The convergence of regulatory action in Canada, grassroots advocacy in the U.S., and global efforts to address digital risks signals a critical juncture for capital markets.
Whether through executive orders, stricter SEC enforcement, or collaboration with international regulators, the fight against illegal short selling is gaining momentum, driven by a retail investor base that refuses to be silenced, lfg.
For more information on regulatory developments, visit https://www.osc.ca or https://www.sec.gov.
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