Betsy Social; Risk Management in Automated Trading Systems

This thesis presents a dual analysis of emerging technologies through both sociotechnical critique and hands-on development. The STS research paper investigates the systemic risks and ethical challenges posed by high-frequency trading (HFT) systems, using the 2010 Flash Crash as a case study. Through the dual frameworks of utilitarian ethics and technological momentum, the paper explores how automated trading systems can create both market efficiency and systemic instability, and why regulatory reform has struggled to keep pace with technological adoption. Complementing this theoretical work, the technical capstone details the creation of Betsy Social, a cross-platform mobile and web app that functions as a social network for sports bettors. The app aims to solve the problem of accountability in online betting communities by tracking user performance, enabling transparent pick-sharing, and integrating monetization through Firebase, Stripe Connect, and The Odds API. The development process included full-stack implementation, user testing, and overcoming real-world deployment hurdles, including compliance with payment processor regulations. The project transitioned the author from student to product builder, culminating in a nearly launched, scalable platform. Together, these works reflect a comprehensive engagement with the opportunities and responsibilities of modern technology: one analyzing how financial automation can outpace ethical oversight, and the other demonstrating how thoughtful engineering can build trust and transparency into a digital product.