Education
The Pelosi Act and Why Surmount Believes Data Should Always Beat Insider Trading
When a lawmaker sells millions in stock just days before a market-shaking announcement, it’s not just bad optics — it’s a sign the game is rigged. Public trust in the markets erodes when people believe that the winners are the ones with connections, not the ones with skill or discipline.
The Preventing Elected Leaders from Owning Securities and Investments Act, better known as the Pelosi Act, aims to restore that trust by banning members of Congress — and their spouses — from trading individual stocks while in office.
At Surmount, we support the spirit behind the Pelosi Act. But here’s our view: investors shouldn’t need insider information to succeed in the first place. With the right tools, proven strategies, and transparent data, anyone can compete — and win — on a level playing field.
What Is the Pelosi Act?
The Pelosi Act is designed to ban stock trading by members of Congress to prevent conflicts of interest and eliminate the perception of unfair advantage. Instead of hand-picking stocks that could be influenced by their policy work, lawmakers would be limited to diversified investments like mutual funds, ETFs, and Treasury bonds.
Supporters say this legislation could close one of the most visible gaps in market fairness. Critics argue it doesn’t address other forms of influence or selective disclosure that can still tilt the playing field.
The Bigger Problem: Markets Tilted by Insider Access
The real issue goes beyond Congress — it’s the fact that insider trading still exists in many corners of finance.
Unfair edge: Access to non-public information creates winners and losers before the game even starts
Distorted incentives: Those with inside knowledge can ignore risk, knowing they have a safety net of privileged insight
Erosion of trust: Everyday investors feel the deck is stacked against them, making them less likely to participate in markets
The result? A market that can feel more like a casino with VIP rooms than a fair competition.
Surmount’s Approach — Data Over Drama
Surmount was built on the belief that the best investment strategies don’t need secrets — they need science.
Our platform:
Uses publicly available market data — nothing behind closed doors
Runs AI-powered backtesting across decades of historical trends
Lets you build strategies in our no-code environment or invest directly in prebuilt, professional-grade ones
Publishes transparent performance metrics so you can verify results yourself
Whether you want full creative control or prefer to invest in vetted, ready-to-deploy strategies, Surmount makes it possible to trade confidently without insider tips.
Why Ethical, Data-Driven Investing Wins Long Term
Insider trading might give someone a short-term edge — but data-driven, rules-based investing gives everyone a long-term foundation for success.
Consistency: Backtested strategies are designed to adapt across market cycles
Transparency: You can see exactly how a strategy works before committing capital
Accessibility: Choose to build your own or invest in prebuilt strategies with institutional-grade methods
When every investor has access to the same high-quality data and tools, the need for secret information disappears.
The Future: Trust Through Transparency
The Pelosi Act addresses one high-profile slice of the insider trading problem — but real market fairness comes when all investors can compete using the same rulebook.
Surmount’s mission is to make transparent, ethical, data-backed investing the norm — not the exception. We believe that trust in the markets is rebuilt when success comes from skill, discipline, and evidence, not access to privileged conversations.
Build or Invest in an Ethical Strategy Today
The markets don’t need more secretive trades — they need more transparent wins.
With Surmount, you can:
Connect your account securely
Build a strategy using our AI-powered, no-code platform
Or invest in prebuilt strategies designed by experienced investors
Backtest across decades of market history
Deploy with confidence — knowing you don’t need insider info to succeed
👉 Get started at Surmount.ai and see how transparency beats insider trading every time.
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