FT: Traders bet $580 million in oil market 15 minutes before Trump posts on Iran negotiations

Crypto World News reports that between 6:49 and 6:50 a.m. New York time on Monday, approximately 6,200 Brent crude oil and West Texas Intermediate futures contracts were traded, with a nominal value of $580 million. About 15 minutes later, U.S. President Trump posted on Truth Social that he had recently engaged in “productive talks” with Iran. After this post was published at 7:04 a.m., there was a significant sell-off in the global energy markets, while the S&P 500 futures and European stock markets rose. Trading volume for Brent and WTI futures surged simultaneously at 6:50:27 a.m., and S&P 500 futures prices also increased within seconds after the oil trading occurred. It is currently unclear whether the Monday trades were conducted by a single entity or multiple entities. White House spokesperson Kush Desai stated that the White House does not tolerate any officials profiting illegally from insider information, and that implying officials’ involvement in such activities without evidence is irresponsible reporting. Several hedge funds have pointed out multiple cases of large trades made before official U.S. government announcements in recent months. One hedge fund trader noted that energy consultants have recently observed several large transactions at unusual times. Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf later denied on X platform that Washington had engaged in any negotiations with Tehran, causing global stock markets to retreat and energy markets to see renewed buying.