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Deep Dive: Money Bots (2026)

Film Lens

Money Bots
Money Bots explores the dramatic events of February 5, 2018, when the Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced an unprecedented drop of over 1500 points in just minutes. This catastrophic event, which erased approximately $2000 billion from the market, was attributed to the rapid actions of high-frequency trading computers rather than any real-world economic factors. The documentary delves into the interconnectedness of global stock exchanges and how the collapse triggered panic not only in New York but also in major financial hubs like Frankfurt, Sydney, and Tokyo. The film features insights from business journalist Felix Rohrbeck and financial journalist Jennifer Nille, who discuss the rise of high-frequency trading. This form of trading, characterized by the use of autonomous computer systems, has transformed the stock market from a long-term investment platform into a battleground for speed and efficiency. The documentary raises critical questions about the transparency and ethics of high-frequency trading, highlighting how it has automated and perpetuated the existing power dynamics in finance, often to the detriment of everyday investors.

Why Watch

  • Understand the impact of high-frequency trading on markets.
  • Explore the causes behind the 2018 stock market crash.
  • Learn about the ethics of automated trading systems.
  • Discover how global financial systems are interconnected.

Did You Know

The Dow Jones lost over 1500 points in minutes on February 5, 2018.
High-frequency trading is done exclusively by computers, not humans.
Approximately $2000 billion vanished from the market during the crash.
High-frequency trading prioritizes speed over the quality of investments.
The documentary features insights from journalists and financial experts.

Perfect For

Finance enthusiastsInvestorsTechnology advocatesDocumentary lovers