NYSE to Launch a New Trading Platform Dubbed Pillar

Through it, users will be able to connect to the New York Stock Exchange's equities and options markets using a single specification.

"Pillar has been designed to reduce complexity, while enhancing consistency, performance and resiliency," while providing simplified, harmonized order types, terminology and messaging across all of NYSE's markets; shorter time to market for ongoing enhancements; and more efficient processing, according to a statement.

NYSE Arca Equities will be the first market to migrate to Pillar in Q3 2015. Upon completion, including Arca, users will be able to connect to NYSE, NYSE MKT, NYSE Arca Options, NYSE Amex Options, Global OTC and NYSE Bonds, through a single interface. New customer gateways and connectivity are also included in the upgrade.

"During the first phase of implementation, you will continue to connect to existing NYSE Arca gateways as the new technology is deployed across our matching engines," the release notes. "The second phase, in the fourth quarter of 2015, will include the introduction of new customer gateways and connectivity. You will be required to write to the new protocols as well as establish new connectivity to NYSE Arca."

In late 2013 the IntercontinentalExchange (ICE) completed its acquisition NYSE Euronext. In December, ICE divested its remaining stake in Euronext.

After the merger was announced, ICE's then-CTO Edwin Marcial spoke with Waters about the planned integration, as larger tech questions loomed after a spat of mergers across the globe. In October 2014, Marcial stepped down from his post.