International derivatives marketplace CME Group today posted a notice of disciplinary action against Optimus Commodities LLC.

Pursuant to an offer of settlement in which Optimus Commodities LLC, a proprietary trading firm located in the United Arab Emirates, neither admitted nor denied the rule violations or factual findings upon which the penalty is based, on July 21, 2026, a Panel of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Business Conduct Committee found that on multiple instances on February 6 and 7, 2025, an agent of Optimus entered orders for March 2025 E-mini S&P 500 futures with the intent, at the time of order entry, to cancel the futures orders before execution.

Specifically, Nishant Bhandari, a proprietary firm trader located in India, entered either a larger order or multiple layered orders on one side of the market and then canceled these orders after

receiving fills on the smaller resting orders he previously entered on the opposite side of the same market or in various weekly E-mini S&P 500 options on futures markets.

As a result of the activity, Optimus benefitted $1,750.00.

Additionally, the Panel found that Optimus permitted its agent to enter orders using a unique operator ID that was assigned to an Optimus employee. Further, the Panel found that Optimus failed to diligently supervise its agent by not sufficiently monitoring, advising, and training him as to Exchange rules regarding disruptive trading in a manner sufficient to ensure compliance with the same.

The Panel concluded that Optimus violated CME Rules 432.W., 576, and, pursuant to CME Rule 433, 575.A.

In accordance with the settlement offer, the Panel ordered Optimus to pay a $30,000 fine and $1,750.00 in disgorgement.

The disciplinary notice is effective July 23, 2026.