"Timing Is Too Perfect": Another $1 Billion Bet in Ten Days Raises Suspicions of Information Leaks
by Lee Seunghyeong
Published 18 Apr.2026 10:35(KST)
Updated 18 Apr.2026 11:47(KST)
Large-Scale Bets Placed Just Before Iran's Hormuz Reopening Announcement
Oil Prices Plunge After Contracts Signed, Yielding Significant Profits for Futures Sellers
Reuters reported on April 17 (local time) that suspicions of information leaks have been raised after large-scale bets on falling oil prices were made just before Iran announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), investors sold 7,990 contracts of Brent crude oil futures within one minute starting at 12:24 p.m. that day. The total value of these contracts amounted to approximately $760 million (about 1.115 trillion won) based on prices at the time.
About 20 minutes after this transaction, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that navigation through the Strait of Hormuz would be permitted during the ceasefire period. Immediately after the announcement, international oil prices plunged as much as 11% during intraday trading, allowing investors who had sold the futures to realize significant profits.
Reuters also explained that such suspicious trading patterns had occurred previously. On the 7th, just before the United States and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire, some investors sold about $950 million worth of crude oil futures. In addition, on the 23rd of last month, $500 million worth of crude oil futures contracts were sold 15 minutes before U.S. President Donald Trump announced a delay in attacks on Iran's energy infrastructure. Following President Trump's announcement of the delay, oil prices plummeted by 15%.
With large-scale investments repeatedly coinciding precisely with decisive shifts in the war situation, some are suspecting the possibility of insider information leaks. The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has recently requested data from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) and the ICE Futures Exchange in relation to allegations of unfair trading in the crude oil futures market.
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