Controversial BATS CEO Leaves Exchange

The poster child for the high frequency trading opposition to the Michael Lewis book Flash Boys is stepping down as president of BATS Global Markets.

BATS Global Markets announced the departure of William O'Brien

In a press release today, BATS “announced the departure of William O’Brien as President, effective immediately, with CEO Joe Ratterman reassuming the additional role of President.”

The brief press release did not mention O’Brien other to say he was leaving. When contacted about the potential for O’Brien’s exit being tied to negative publicity or the recent investigation of HFT by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, sources inside the...