Uber driver’s Rs 2.5 lakh options trading loss sparks fresh debate over retail derivatives risk

A viral social media video featuring an Uber driver’s Rs 2.5 lakh loss in options trading has reignited concerns over retail participation in India’s high-risk derivatives market.

The video, posted on microblogging site X, captures the driver candidly recounting how he lost an amount equivalent to his entire annual income through options trading, a sobering reminder of the hazards retail investors face when navigating complex financial instruments without sufficient knowledge or capital.

“I incurred a loss of Rs 2.5 lakh in 2024, all through options trading. I had held stocks and they didn’t result in any loss. The entire loss came from options,” the driver said in Hindi.

A financial blow that outstripped income

The driver, who earns Rs 25,000 a month, admitted that his foray into options was marred by a lack of adherence to basic trading protocols. When asked whether the loss equaled a full year’s income, he responded simply, “Yes.”

The Uber driver said he would only return to options trading if he could “have a good capital to invest.” His experience underscores the widening gulf between retail enthusiasm and market preparedness, a gap that regulators have been grappling with amid a surge in first-time retail traders post-pandemic.

A larger problem

The Uber driver’s story has drawn widespread attention not only for its personal gravity but also for what it represents. His confession has been held up as emblematic of a broader pattern: a growing number of retail investors entering derivatives markets without adequate financial literacy or safeguards.Investor advocates and market analysts have repeatedly warned about the dangers of retail trading in leveraged instruments such as options, especially in an environment driven by social media tips, low entry barriers, and aspirational risk-taking.

Sebi’s recent moves

Interestingly, the Uber driver’s remarks also touched on regulatory reforms, in particular, changes introduced by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) earlier this year.

“This is a good rule by Sebi; now there’s less chance of fraud,” he said, referring to Sebi’s January 2025 decision to switch fund settlement cycles for inactive accounts from weekly to monthly.

Previously, brokers were mandated to return funds from accounts that had remained inactive for over 30 days within three working days. Under the revised rules, such accounts will now be settled during the monthly running account settlement cycle, a move aimed at easing operational pressures and streamlining fund management practices.

The man in the video also expressed concern over high brokerage fees, indicating that trading costs further compound the risks for small investors with limited capital.

The Jane Street factor

The post accompanying the video also praised Sebi’s crackdown on global trading firm Jane Street, which had allegedly engaged in market manipulation. In a major enforcement action, Sebi recently seized Rs 4,840 crore from the firm, a development widely seen as a sign of the regulator’s increasing vigilance over market integrity.

While the Uber driver’s account is one of individual loss, the broader narrative it fuels is far from isolated. As derivatives volumes continue to balloon on Indian exchanges, market experts stress the urgent need for robust investor education and stronger gatekeeping mechanisms to prevent vulnerable participants from risking capital they cannot afford to lose.

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(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)