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 >>
ISDA to CFTC: Exempt SEF-Compliant European Venues
In publishing a set of principles intended to help derivatives trading firms compare U.S. and European Union (E.U.) trading venues, officials at the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) are asking that CFTC officials consider a new exemption for established trading venues in Europe. “If EU trading venues are determined to achieve the same objectives… 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 >>
Lack of Global Standards Impedes Trade Repositories: ESMA Report
The lack of global standards in the trade repository space (TR) could hinder the repository process, a finding of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) in its recently published 55-page 2016 annual report, which outlines its supervisory priorities for credit ratings agency (CRA) governance as well as the quality and data access for TRs…. Read More >>
Accenture Acquires Formicary to Bolster Derivatives Services
Global professional services company Accenture has acquired U.K.-based capital technology markets consultancy Formicary, as part of its efforts to bolster its capabilities in market infrastructure. This area has become increasingly important as financial services firms look for solutions to combat rising costs incurred under regulatory legislation such as Dodd Frank in the U.S. and the… Read More >>
EBS Direct Uses FIX 4.4 for Application Links
EBS Direct to Use FIX 4.4 API EBS BrokerTec, the electronic foreign exchange (FX) and fixed income business group of interdealer broker ICAP, reports that end-users can connect to its FX platform — EBS Direct via a FIX version 4.4 application programming interface (API). The Financial Information eXchange (FIX) protocol for electronic trading is overseen… Read More >>
Swaps Clearing in Europe Catching Up to U.S. Rules
The European Union has set the date for its clearing obligation, bringing European financial reform more into line with current U.S. obligations. The publication of the European Securities and Markets Authority’s (ESMA) regulatory technical standards (RTS) in the Official Journal of the European Union on December 1, 2015 will kick over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives clearing into… Read More >>
DTCC Wants Global Framework for Sharing Swaps Data
Post-trade services and infrastructure provider DTCC would like to see the start of an international discussion about a framework for the global sharing of data about swaps transactions in the wake of federal action to remove a Dodd-Frank Act provision that some saw as an impediment to swaps data sharing globally. In a rare moment… Read More >>
Fears Grow Over High-Impact Attack: DTCC Survey
Risk Managers’ Fears Grow Over High-Impact Event: Survey Fears over the threat of “a high-impact event” is increasing among risk managers, according to the latest DTCC Systemic Risk Barometer Survey. The new survey on risk trends among those in the financial services industry shows that 61 percent of risk managers “believe the probability of a… Read More >>
Q&A: Firms Still in Limbo over T+2 Changes
(Editor’s Note: Matt Rodgers, senior manager at business consultancy Sapient Global Markets, thinks that it’s a little premature to know what IT infrastructure and solution changes will be required for the transition to trading day plus two settlement (T+2). The efforts of the DTCC, the Securities and Financial Market Association (SIFMA) and major industry players… Read More >>