The Saudi Arabia Capital Market Authority has launched a consultation on draft restrictions for algorithmic trading, including a limit of 20 algorithmic orders per executed trade in a listed security during a single trading day. The proposed cap would apply to securities on the Main Market, except those classified as having very high liquidity, and would be calculated for each trader registered with the Saudi Exchange who is responsible for a market member’s and its clients’ trading activities. Capital Market Institutions would be required to maintain systems and supervisory procedures designed to protect the integrity and efficiency of algorithmic trading and prevent market disruption. They would also need documented methodologies for developing and testing systems and algorithms before deployment, retain relevant records, and provide algorithmic trading information or data to the authority and the Saudi Exchange on request. The final provisions are scheduled to take effect on Nov. 1, 2026.
2026-09-24Saudi Arabia Capital Markets Authority
Saudi Arabia Capital Market Authority consults on 20-to-1 cap for algorithmic trading orders
The Saudi Arabia Capital Market Authority is consulting on draft algorithmic trading restrictions, including a daily cap of 20 orders per executed trade for most Main Market securities. Capital Market Institutions would also face requirements covering controls, predeployment testing, recordkeeping and regulatory data access, with the final provisions scheduled to take effect on Nov. 1, 2026.