CFTC Probes $430M Pre-Trump Oil Bet Amid $2.1B Suspicious April Flows

U.S. CFTC is investigating a $430 million bet on falling oil prices placed just 15 minutes before President Trump's ceasefire extension with Iran, the latest in suspicious trades totaling $2.1 billion this April. The 4,260 lots traded in thin post-settlement hours (19:54–19:56 GMT) had minimal immediate impact, with Brent edging from $100.91 to $100.66 before plunging to $96.83 post-announcement at 20:10 GMT and stabilizing near $99.20. This follows prior large wagers like $500 million on March 23, $950 million on April 7, and $760 million on April 17, raising fears of informed trading and potential volatility spikes or tighter rules ahead.