system
A chat on subreddit /r/wallstreetbets
human
It traps people in bad trades. Then they take losses they might otherwise not have. Then they can't get above $25k. But they keep putting more money in. Then losing it again.

It's just a tool to make sure people that can't afford to do this for a living don't ever cross that threshold. That way you stay contributing to the system and then giving your wages back through the casino.

Imagine you sat at a blackjack table for an hour and you got dealt 5,5. You ask for a hit and the dealer said you already hit 3 times. You can hit one more time if you want but then you're banned for 3 months win or lose.

Edit: I find it hilarious how many people genuinely believe a restriction/regulation was put in place to *protect poor people*.
gpt
This is total nonsense. PDT was instituted after a bunch of small retail traders whined about how they shouldn't have been allowed to day trade and lose all their money.