Alpaca Launches Hard-to-Borrow Short Selling Featuring Full API Support for Locates

Alpaca has introduced Hard-to-Borrow (HTB) trading that integrates full API support for locates, enhancing their short-selling infrastructure to support automated trading workflows. This development allows traders to seamlessly locate, execute, and track advanced short-selling workflows within the existing Alpaca Trading API ecosystem, minimizing the operational complexities traditionally associated with HTB short selling. The feature is particularly beneficial for active traders, quantitative teams, and algorithmic strategies, as it automates the process of checking borrow availability, managing locate costs, and transitioning from signals to short-sale orders. The integration provides transparent pricing and programmatic controls, enabling traders to set cost thresholds and risk parameters, while supporting 24/5 trading to align with global market shifts. The streamlined API workflow replaces manual touchpoints, helping traders and platforms manage short-selling workflows without switching systems, and is designed to support both developer-first and agent-enabled trading systems.