The trade body for Europe's high-frequency trading firms has doubled its membership base in little over a year, as it establishes itself as a powerful lobbying force with Brussels regulators considering new rules for the sector.

Just over a year after it was first established, Europe's high frequency trading trade body has more than doubled its membership base to over 20 firms, and has become a powerful lobbying force in front of Brussels policymakers drawing up new rules to govern high-speed trading.