Waters - Q1 2024
Articles in this issue
Dark horse: Deutsche Börse building dark pool
New functionality allowing exchange members to execute sweep trades comes hot on the heels of European rival Euronext launching its own dark pool.
European exchanges turn to dark trading in battle for flow
The EU’s two biggest exchanges are launching dark pools this year. The apparent change in their stances on dark trading reflects a profound shift in equities markets.
Hub to lay off 20% of staff, sources say
Hub’s CEO says this is simply a case of a startup trying to stay nimble and efficient; others say it points to deeper issues.
Price gouging? New study finds market data providers consistently inconsistent in pricing, discounts
As the industry awaits the FCA’s findings from its Wholesale Market Data Study, end-users pin their hopes on the prospect of relief. But a new study from Substantive Research details the enormous pricing disparities that must be tackled.
FCA declines to directly regulate market data prices
A year-long investigation by the UK regulator to determine whether competition is hindered in the wholesale data markets has concluded with its decision not to directly regulate much-maligned data pricing and licensing structures.
Dora technical standards shoot for break in the clouds
One goal of the EU’s latest ICT risk act is to mitigate cloud concentration. Some experts say it may make it worse.
After contentious Opra upgrades, vendors brace for a faster future
Upgrades to the datafeed widely used to gauge the current market price for options contracts went into effect in February after three separate delays, which market participants say were caused by persistent bandwidth issues at some important recipients.
GenAI or replatforming? Bank CTOs disagree on budgetary spend
Voice of the CTO: In part one of a five-part series, several bank technologists discuss where they are looking to spend their budgets this year, and what hurdles stand in the way of experimenting with generative AI.
Run the bank, change the bank: CTOs juggle needs and wants
Voice of the CTO: In part two of a five-part series, bank technologists explain where firms go wrong when trying to modernize their tech stacks and manage technical debt.
Elephant in the room: Balancing AI innovation with cloud projects
Voice of the CTO: While generative AI is today’s hot topic, bank technologists explain how they’ve spent years planning for this day, even if cloud had been the main focus. And to be sure, skeptics remain.
Data isn’t king if the ‘royal’ C-suite doesn’t buy in
Voice of the CTO: As banks strive to take advantage of cutting-edge tools, the basics of proper data management and governance are too often overlooked. Banks are learning that a CDO can help gain favor with the C-suite.
Breaking down the walls: Enterprise architecture gets its day in the sun
Voice of the CTO: Enterprise architecture aims to tie together a bank’s overall infrastructure, systems and workflows. While easily said, bank technologists explain why it’s harder in practice.
Waters Wrap: Inside the mind of the CTO
After having one-on-one conversations with eight different senior bank technologists, Anthony explains how these execs look at innovation strategy from a philosophical perspective.
Fighting FAIRR: Inside the bill aiming to keep AI and algos honest
The Financial Artificial Intelligence Risk Reduction Act seeks to fix a market abuse loophole by declaring that AI algorithms do not have brains.
The IMD Wrap: Discoverability and visibility, the new challenge of alt data overload
There’s a novel kind of data tsunami on the horizon: the volume of new datasets, and trying to discern what’s out there—and how much of it is useful.
Will generative AI crack the code for bank tech teams?
Banks could roll out tools to help translate old—or write new—code within months.
Ticking clock: Firms in Asia face unique T+1 challenges
Firms in Asia worry about unintended consequences of massive change to settlement cycle.
‘When, not if’: EU plots course for T+1 transition
Not everyone saw eye to eye at a European Commission roundtable discussing how to shorten settlement cycles, but most participants recognized the need to make the transition to T+1.
Man Group’s proprietary data platform is a timesaver for quants
The investment firm’s head of data delves into its alt data strategy and use of AI tools to boost quant efficiency.
European firms prime for lopsided settlement in North America and at home
With T+1 imminent in North America and increasingly likely to traverse the Atlantic, operations and trading professionals in Europe are fighting on two fronts.
Blood, sweat, and tiers: how the SEC’s exchange rebates proposal could reshape US equities markets
The proposal to overhaul volume-based rebates for agency brokers may create significant shifts in liquidity, order routing, and competition. And industry practitioners are split on whether it’s for better or for worse.
‘Founder’ banks join EDM Council program to benchmark data management
The Data Excellence Program—the first to recognize data management at an enterprise level, rather than being an accreditation program for individuals—will help firms solidify data management as a program rather than a series of projects.
As crypto ETFs become reality, benchmark providers take center stage
The SEC’s approval of the first spot bitcoin ETFs will expose a growing number of traditional market participants to the maturing world of crypto data, a moment that some—such as CF Benchmarks, BlackRock’s benchmark provider—have been eagerly awaiting.
Waters Wrap: The rise of AI washing… and regulation washing?
The SEC recently levied fines against two investment advisors over “AI washing”. Anthony takes issue with the announcement.
The IMD Wrap: No more turf wars, or why CDOs should heed the Voice of the CTO
Max reviews how our recent Voice of the CTO series has implications for those beyond a firm’s technology function, and how communication and collaboration between tech, data, and leadership will deliver better results.
