I've said it before, and now I'll say it again...it is all about possession and/or control. When a broker sells you shares, they must have one of those. If not, they must obtain it. This right of clients to receive delivery of certificates for stock they paid for is inviolate, and cannot be circumvented. There are numerous rules and regulations governing this, but Customer Protection Rule 15c3-3is the chief among them. I think it is pretty clear to most that when you pay for anything, you expect to get it. If you don't, you would probably go to the police in most cases. This white collar crime, though, has a diabolical methodology that confounds most attempts to label it a crime. TDA has tried every trick in the book to obfuscate, intimidate, and obliterate, their naked short position held in CGs account. They have completely failed, and in so doing, have exposed themselves to significant harm. Hopefully, what comes out of all this is a safer, fairer, market for all.
Some sheep are smarter than others.