Suspended. It sounds like a very good idea to me too. Imho there is a chance of a flash crash like event in the near future. While the swings have been wild there hasn't really been panic yet. Many down moves were in premarket and trading was, considering 1000+ ranges in the Dow, relatively calm. Market is still pretty high compared to let's say the 5 year average. The Pain Limit has imo not been reached for the late buyers yet.
Nothing new, they being doing this for years. Its a hint that you should at least be halving your position size in this crazy volatile environment. IB normally suspend every time the VIX goes above 30. So im suprised they waited this long.
I'm not an IB client. But here's my tude on the subject... Suspending or (temporary)elimination is not the same as an increase/decrease. IB markets to "active" traders, including "active" futures day traders as evidenced by offering intraday margin in the first place. So it seems to me they are enticing on one end, and then removing the enticement at the same moment "active" traders are most likely to benefit. Yet another reason IB is not a choice for MY "active" style and product selection of trading futures.