There&#x27;s good evidence that the losers in the hft game are retirement funds and other large, conservative beats that don&#x27;t have as much access to the inside track. The secret market orders in flash boys are a perfect illustration: market manipulation makes the cheaters rich at the expense of almost everyone else.<p>Finance provides some liquidity to the market, sure, but is largely parasitic. Just like anyone else with a get rich quick scheme, really.