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LME tells court it halted a ‘death spiral’ with cancelled nickel trades

The exchange argued the crisis would have caused further 'significant and systemic damage' but for its intervention

Since the historic event last year, the London Metal Exchange has consistently said it needed to intervene to provide an orderly market
Since the historic event last year, the London Metal Exchange has consistently said it needed to intervene to provide an orderly market Photo: In Pictures via Getty Images

The London Metal Exchange has painted a picture of itself as a saviour to the metals and wider derivatives market — in an effort to defend its controversial March 2022 move to wipe out $4bn in nickel trades.

The exchange argued the crisis would have caused further “significant and systemic damage” but for its intervention. The LME's defence, on day three of hearings in a London High Court, comes amid claims from Elliott and Jane Street, who are suing the exchange for $456m and $15.3m respectively.

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