I read a while ago, that hedge funds, banks and alike are...

I read a while ago, that hedge funds, banks and alike are involved in this type of trading, with acknowledgement that some participants could be manipulating the course of trading in an unfair way.

These new technological and successful developments with algorithmic trading will not have been lost to those being active in the underworld.

Think of it: running a legitimate business, without making your hands dirty or having to apply violence against any opposition so far.
How much better can it get, playing casino with a certain positive outcome nearly all the time.