Infrastructure
EBS and Thomson Reuters urged to rethink credit methodology
FX prime brokers say measurement of open positions on a gross rather than net basis exposes them to additional risk and reduces the effectiveness of controls such as the kill switch
Confusion reigns at dawn of Sef era, say participants
There is still uncertainty over the exact scope of no-action relief issued by the CFTC, and traders warn the same challenges will remain when the relief expires on October 30
Citi to donate a dollar per million of platform volume to charity
E for Education initiative will see a proportion of revenue from Velocity in the fourth quarter handed over to six charities globally
CFTC relief welcomed but concerns remain as Sef rules begin
A string of no-action relief letters issued ahead of today's deadline have been welcomed, but some participants believe they still don't go far enough
Meet the Sefs
The weeks leading up to the October 2 deadline for registration as a swap execution facility (Sef) under the US Dodd-Frank Act have seen a wave of new platforms receive approval from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Robert Mackenzie Smith…
Sefs struggle with CFTC reporting rules
A lack of clarity over reporting obligations has left would-be Sefs struggling to adapt processes and workflows
CLS same-day settlement 'positive' for CAD market, says FX committee chair
Canadian FX committee chair Donna Howard welcomes launch of same-day settlement through CLS for USD/CAD, but acknowledges associated challenges
CLS launches settlement for same-day USD/CAD trades
Settlement risk mitigation firm is due to launch a new settlement session this week for the trades settled on a same-day basis
Sefs questioned on plans for erroneous trades
Swap execution facilities have been rushing to meet an October 2 deadline for registration, but more thought is needed on how platforms will deal with trade failures, say conference participants
FX options clearing a 'big challenge', warns NY Fed official
Speaking at the FX Invest West Coast conference, the New York Fed's Jeanmarie Davis addressed the challenges associated with clearing and settlement of FX options
Mako FX hires Simon Jones to drive platform growth
Citi's former e-FX trading chief has joined spot platform Mako FX as managing partner, with a mandate to focus on innovation and volume growth
FastMatch signs with TMX Atrium for low-latency connectivity
Start-up spot FX platform joins network to lower transatlantic latency and leverage global coverage
Pressure mounts on CFTC for relief on Sef rules
CFTC is being lobbied to grant relief on the contentious Footnote 88, which requires platforms to register as Sefs even if the products they offer are not yet made available to trade
Nasdaq OMX awaits regulatory approval for FX clearing
The exchange's Nordic central counterparty has connected to MarkitServ and is awaiting the green light from regulators to clear G-10 and EM non-deliverable forwards and options
FX Week Forum: Dodd-Frank and electronic platforms
In the second in a series of video features addressing key themes in the global FX industry, Joel Clark talks to Kathy Alys and Rob Mackenzie Smith about recent stories covering the Dodd-Frank Act's external business conduct standards and pricing on…
United Overseas Bank eyes Asia clients for single-dealer platform
Singapore-based bank is ramping up its e-FX capabilities using FlexTrade technology as it seeks to poach clients from multibank platforms
Aggregators begin certification process with EBS
Aggregators of EBS liquidity have until November to comply with its new guidance and become certified partners, but some vendors are not certain they will seek certification
FXPBs call for new approach to credit allocation
Overallocation of credit remains a challenge for FX prime brokers, but the industry is looking to create a clearer picture of where credit is being used
Inconsistency on FX among Asia CCPs worries banks
Indian authorities appear likely to mandate clearing of FX forwards while China is looking at clearing spot, leading to concerns over the potential for cross-border inconsistency on FX clearing
Agency desks hopeful new protocol will solve Dodd-Frank issues
A preliminary protocol to enable four-way FX prime brokerage involving agency desks has been agreed ‘in principle’ and could allow agencies to scale up their activities, having been largely reduced to spot since May
WGMR exemption for FX swaps and forwards expected imminently
Final rules on margin requirements for non-centrally cleared derivatives are expected within weeks, including a long-awaited exemption for FX swaps and forwards
Eurex preps launch of FX options and futures
German derivatives exchange will move into the FX market in October as it aims to compete for volume in listed futures and options
Morgan Stanley restructures FX prime brokerage
Global co-heads of FXPB have both left the bank and relationships with several clients have ceased following an ‘extensive review’ of the business
FX platforms encouraged to consider liquidity enhancing pricing models
A proposal made to the FX Joint Standing Committee in July 2012 for a per-order fee that is rebated in proportion to actual executed volume has garnered support among market participants