The problem for the ASIC is they need a clear an indesputable...

The problem for the ASIC is they need a clear an indesputable paper trail...

Organised manipulative practices may be easier to prosecute due to the trail of evidence, however the capping and more manipulative daily practices typically seen on specs would be much harder to prosecute I imagine.

I guess this is due, to some extent, to the menagerie of different trading methods, from straddle trades, to buy/sell lucky dips...the first to get hit (be it the buy or sell) dictates the next move.

Then the difficulty of determining the difference between honest actions such as a large closing (or open) buy or sell bid, just to feel the water...if removed prior to the match-out auction, it looks just like it was a prop.

Same with those who sell out of a trader to go chasing other rainbows...after making their profits they may well rush back in, even paying more than they sold for...this will look all the world like capping activity, where stock is sold to lower the price, then bought back, sometimes even higher, in order to result in a lower average accumulation price.

There are so many players these days...and so many retailers...I can understand their difficulties.

Cheers!