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

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

Time of India3 days ago
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.
LOTTERY CASINO KI TARAH AJKAL
Options trading ka NASHA sabko hai
Who made Profits :
#JaneStreet
Who lost here : Poor Uber driver
Facts checked from this video :
He makes 25K from driving but
Lost 2.5L in options trading and
Funny thing is that he is not quitting
His quote :…
pic.twitter.com/gzgfHvZDx6
— Vipin Gupta (@Vipster007)
July 5, 2025
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.
Also read |
Rs 735 crore in 1 day! Jane Street's most profitable day on Dalal Street was built on Nifty Bank's fall
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