Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) officials have announced that the ICE Benchmark Administration (IBA) will introduce a new calculation methodology for ISDAFIX, starting Feb. 16, 2015, marking a new era for the global benchmark for interest rate swaps. ISDAFIX represents the average mid-market swap rates for three major currencies: the Euro (EUR), British pound (GBP) and U.S…. Read More >>
JPX Taps Nasdaq to Build Osaka Exchange
Japan Exchange Group (JPX) and Nasdaq have partnered to build a next-generation derivatives trading system for the JPX subsidiary Osaka Exchange, officials say. In addition to the trading system, which will operate on Genium INET technology, Osaka will tap SMARTS Market Surveillance for its real-time surveillance needs, supplied by Nasdaq technologies. “We are proud and… Read More >>
RJO Adds Two to FX and Precious Metals
Chicago-based R.J. O’Brien & Associates (RJO), the venerable futures brokerage and clearing firm, has named Kevin J. Danca, 45, and Michael G. Connolly, 42, as directors, FX and precious metals. They will be based in the New York office and will report to Matthew Ardizzone, RJO global head of FX sales. “The two bullion market… Read More >>
CME Group Launches Education Platform
CME Group, the multi-exchange derivatives marketplace, reports that it has the launched the Futures Institute, an online platform for futures education, trading simulation and market research. “The Futures Institute offers a blend of live instruction, interactive training modules, market research and training,” CME Group says in a statement. “The Futures Institute works with partners across… Read More >>
UBS Securities Expands DMA via Orc
UBS Securities has extended its broad usage of derivatives technology vendor Orc’s Electronic Execution solution to facilitate direct market access to the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), officials say. The UBS group has used Orc solutions to deliver on their customer’s DMA requirements since 2007, according to UBS and vendor… Read More >>
Chris Pickles Leads FIGI Push in Europe
Independent financial technology consultant Chris Pickles is leading a campaign in Europe to make the Financial Instrument Global Identifier (FIGI), originally from market data and news giant Bloomberg an industry standard. Pickles, who is based in the U.K., confirms that he is leading the effort to make the instrument identifier, once known as the Bloomberg… Read More >>
Q&A: Droit Just Wants to Become an Industry Standard
Two of the key players behind Droit Financial Technologies — Satya Pemmaraju, Ph.D., founding partner and CEO, and Brock Arnason, founding partner, head of product and strategic alliances — spoke recently with FFT News about the start of the company and how its wares can be applied to a post-trade reporting/compliance infrastructure. Q: Can you… Read More >>
Orc Group’s Owner Acquires Tbricks
Stockholm, Sweden-based Orc Group, a provider of listed derivatives trading technology, reports that its owner, Cidron Delfi Intressenter Holding, has signed an agreement to acquire Tbricks, also headquartered in Stockholm, a provider of trading technology to “market makers, proprietary traders and banks,” according to an Orc statement. Cidron Delfi Intressenter Holding AB, the acquiring entity,… Read More >>
CME, GFI Group Clear Hurdles for Merger
Derivatives marketplace CME Group and interdealer broker and financial technology provider GFI Group have received regulatory approval for CME Group’s previously announced acquisition of GFI Group, officials say. The acquisition still needs to be approved by GFI’s stockholders before it can proceed, and GFI will hold a special meeting of its stockholders on January 27… Read More >>
Time for Ops Resolutions for 2015?
The New Year brings opportunities to take on post-trade securities operations challenges or at least take the time to review the progress your firm has made in its trajectory to operational efficiency. It’s also a chance to make resolutions that will guide the firm throughout the year. To help firms craft a list of Ops… Read More >>
