mmmm grain of salt because I have no details. I'm just having fun now.

Having two people involved doesn’t preclude kickbacks, it makes it easier. One of them submits the spending request, the other one approves it, they both share the kickback.

Possible. Maybe the CTO brought in a relationship, maybe AI?, and the SVP caught wind of a kickback and got "cut in" as a result (Lord of War?).

Still, I'm not fully convinced because kickbacks, the speed is just too fast.

People trying to get away with insider trading don’t use someone else at the same company, they use friends or family.

I wouldn't use friends or family that's what everyone else does and it becomes super obvious to the SEC. Someone within the company is not unlikely to trade the stock.

Is my best answer?