Who are the HFTs and why are they allowed in the Market.Datadog, Inc. Class ABATS:DDOGMarthaStokesCMT-TechniTraderHFTs are High Frequency Trading Companies that have computers that are hooked directly into the major Exchanges of the market. The HFT is a computer program that has algorithms that the program uses to determine where and on which side of the transaction the most retail traders, retail investors, and smaller funds managers are intending to buy or sell a stock. The HFTs started out as SOES bandits in the 1980s as home computer kits became available to the early adopter of new technology, aka floor traders of the major exchanges. When the pricing structure of the market changed from fractions to decimals, floor traders were forced to change their trading methods. SOES bandits evolved into the HFTs of today. HFTs role in the stock and other financial markets is to MAKE or TAKE LIQUIDITY which is a primary concern of the major Stock Exchanges. With penny spreads, illiquidity was rampant for a few years. The Exchanges were losing money. The SEC approved HFTs to act as Maker/Takers. Today HFTs impact mostly retail day traders, retail swing traders, and retail investors who chase the gaps and runs of these fully automated systems.