The distributed ledger, or blockchain, as today’s hot financial services technology is also known, may lead to an Internet of Value. But first, important issues have to be resolved. So says Lael Brainard, one of the Federal Reserve’s seven governors. In a recent speech entitled “The Use of Distributed Ledger Technologies in Payment, Clearing, and… Read More >>
Calypso Technology Agrees to Buyout
Calypso Technology is going down the private equity route and the cash infusion will help the trading and risk management systems vendor grow its investor base and take its offerings to the next level for demanding customers, officials say. European private equity fund Bridgepoint and global growth equity investor Summit Partners announced that they are… Read More >>
ATS Firm Broadens Surveillance via Enterprise-Wide Platform
A broker-dealer/alternative trading system, PDQ ATS, has deployed the Validus run-time enterprise risk and compliance platform from Eventus Systems in order to get a broader view of risk exposure, say officials at the firm and the vendor. From its headquarters in Glenview, Ill., PDQ ATS provides liquidity aggregation for market participants via an auction process,… Read More >>
CloudMargin Sharpens Collateral Optimization Capabilities
CloudMargin, a provider of web-based collateral and margin management services, reports that it has improved its collateral optimization capabilities to better serve the clearing needs of securities firms. The enhanced optimization combines CloudMargin’s capabilities to source inventory “on a client’s behalf direct from custodians via CloudMargin’s own SWIFT membership,” vendor officials say. Cloud-based collateral management… Read More >>
BNY’s JGB Collateral Service Open to Non-Japanese Firms
BNY Mellon has introduced a cross-border solution that enables Japanese and non-Japanese institutions to utilize Japanese government debt (JGB) as part of tri-party collateral arrangements, says Staffan Ahlner, head of collateral management —product, for BNY Mellon Markets Group. The service provider says the solution is distinctive because it increases liquidity in the collateral market “by… Read More >>
AcadiaSoft Unveils Central Margining Hub for Derivatives
Norwell, Mass.-based AcadiaSoft, Inc. reports that it has begun industry testing of its Collateral Hub, which it characterizes as the “first ever Central Margining service for non-cleared OTC [over-the-counter] derivatives.” Twenty-eight major banks are participating in the test of the electronic-margin-management system, AcadiaSoft says, noting that its “new service will facilitate industry compliance with impending… Read More >>
Hong Kong Clarifies Rules for OTC Derivatives Trading
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) proposals on introducing mandatory clearing and expanding mandatory reporting for the second stage of the over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives regulatory regime is only the next stage of the territory’s staggered approach to implementing new derivatives rules. The actions were expected and sell- and… Read More >>
CloudMargin and Markit Move Valuation to the Cloud
CloudMargin to Feature Markit’s Portfolio Valuation Services The portfolio valuation services of Markit, a financial information services and systems vendor, will become available via CloudMargin, a cloud-based, collateral management software platform, say officials from both providers. The combine services are timed for upcoming requirements on initial and variation margin “within the BCBS IOSCO framework, set… Read More >>
CFTC Designates NFA as SDR Data Recipient
CFTC Designates NFA as SDR Data Recipient The CFTC issued an order authorizing the National Futures Association (NFA) as “a designee to receive access to data maintained by swap data repositories (SDR),” officials say. The NFA is touted by the CFTC as the “only registered futures association (RFA)” actually registered with the commodities regulator. “As… Read More >>
ICE Promotes to Fill Senior Management Posts
ICE Promotes Senior Managers Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (ICE), the operator of clearinghouses, data services and such exchanges as the New York Stock Exchange, reports the following senior management moves: Ben Jackson, president and chief operating officer (COO) of ICE Futures U.S., has been named to the newly created post of ICE chief commercial officer, where… Read More >>
