Momentum ignition

Momentum ignition is entering aggressive orders designed to trigger other participants' momentum strategies, creating a price move the initiator can then trade against.

manipulation techniques · updated 2026-10-16

Where does momentum ignition come up?

This term is used in the following manipulation techniques, each explained in full on its own page.

• Momentum ignition — Momentum ignition is entering a burst of aggressive orders designed to trigger other participants' momentum strategies, creating a price move the initiator then trades against.

Enforcement actions involving these techniques

See also

• Book imbalance — Book imbalance is the ratio of resting buy quantity to resting sell quantity, usually measured over the top few price levels. Many…
• Market impact — Market impact is the price movement caused by one's own trading. Managing it is the central problem of institutional execution, an…

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