Italy slaps tax on high-frequency trades

Italy has introduced a high-frequency trading tax that charges a 0.02% levy on qualifying trades. The article describes it as the second part of new financial transaction taxes being imposed in Italy.

The levy applies to transactions that last less than half a second — i.e., very short-duration high-frequency trades, according to the article.

The tax rate is 0.02% per transaction for trades meeting the timing threshold described in the article.

Yes. The article states this 0.02% levy is the second part of new financial transaction taxes being imposed in Italy.

Yes. The article says eleven other European countries are to introduce similar financial transaction taxes.

No. The article specifies the timing condition (transactions lasting less than half a second) but does not list which firms, trader types, or intermediaries will be formally charged.

The article does not specify whether everyday retail investors will be affected. It only identifies the levy’s focus on very short-duration transactions under half a second.

The article notes the imposition of the tax and that eleven other European countries plan similar measures, but it does not provide detailed reasons or policy rationale.