The US futures regulator has signalled a willingness to back down on controversial proposals allowing it to freely access the source code of high-speed traders, following complaints that it could lead to sensitive intellectual property being revealed.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission proposed new rules overseeing algorithmic trading in November 2015 - known as Regulation AT - which include a requirement for firms to maintain a 'source code repository' that would be open to examination by authorities without a subpoena.