SEC Adds to Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reports adding 20 positions to its crypto assets and cyber unit, which is tasked with “protecting investors in crypto markets and from cyber-related threats.” The unit, in the SEC’s enforcement division, will grow to 50 dedicated positions, officials say. The unit,… Read More >>
DTCC to Explore Clearing & Settlement for U.S. CBDC
As cryptocurrencies and their inherent distributed ledger technology (DLT) gain ground in global markets, the U.S. government, among others, is exploring the creation of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) that would provide more protection for investors and financial services participants. Looking ahead to the onset of a CBDC, the Depository Trust & Clearing Corp…. Read More >>
GSAM Buys a Robo-Advisor & Other News
GSAM to Use NextCapital for Defined Contribution Foray Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM) is acquiring Chicago-based robo-advisor NextCapital Group to hasten the development of Goldman Sachs’ offerings for the defined contribution market via personalized managed accounts and digital advice, officials say. The transaction is slated to close during the second half of this year, depending… Read More >>
ASX May Delay CHESS Replacement Launch Again
A key Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) executive has announced another likely delay in the launch of the blockchain-based infrastructure that will replace the legacy Clearing House Electronic Subregister System (CHESS) due to new requirements for the core software of the platform to come. The ambitious. cutting-edge operations platform for securities transactions was slated to go… Read More >>
Alpine Securities to Appeal FINRA’s Expulsion
FINRA, the self-regulatory organization (SRO) for broker-dealers, has expelled Alpine Securities Corp. for its alleged misconduct. An attorney representing Alpine Securities, replying to questions from FTF News, took issue with FINRA’s finding, saying, “Alpine will be appealing the decision and, pursuant to applicable regulations, will continue to operate while the decision is reviewed.” Expulsion is,… Read More >>
FTF Unveils Nominees for the 2022 FTF Awards!
Financial Technologies Forum (FTF) and FTF News are pleased to announce the nominees for the 2022 FTF News Technology Innovation Awards competition. The variety and high volume of nominations are clear signs that fintech achievement is alive and kicking amid the challenges of a global pandemic, volatile markets, and a steady flow of game-changers such… Read More >>
Voting for the FTF Awards Starts March 14
We are very close to officially announcing the nominees for the highly competitive FTF News Technology Innovation Awards 2022, which means that the most important step is next — industry voters picking the winners. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, the voting process will begin on March 14 and end on April 22. The FTF Awards,… Read More >>
Post-LIBOR Shifts Need a Strategy: Q&A
(With LIBOR for new contracts ending Dec. 31, 2021, and LIBOR’s usage finally over as of June 30, 2023, a new era for risk-free reference rates is underway. Financial services firms are transitioning to replacements such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), and they are grappling with the post-LIBOR impacts upon their trading, risk,… Read More >>
SS&C Bolsters Its Open Protocol Service & Other Briefs
SS&C Adds ESG & Digital Asset Exposure Reporting Support The Open Protocol risk reporting service of SS&C Technologies has been improved to include digital asset and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) exposures, a step that brings the service into compliance with the ESG and digital assets reporting requirements of the Standards Board of Alternative… Read More >>
Citi & Bloomberg Target ETFs & Other FinTech Briefs
Citi Integrates ACES With Bloomberg’s BSKT Citi and Bloomberg officials report that they have integrated Bloomberg’s service for negotiating fixed income baskets, known as BSKT, with a proprietary platform from Citi known as ACES (Citi Advanced ETF System). The integration is intended to provide better support for Citi’s exchange-traded funds (ETF) clients that use BSKT…. Read More >>