RTS prepares for Dodd-Frank
Trading systems provider RTS Realtime Systems Group is offering services to support new swap execution facilities (SEFs) created by the Dodd-Frank Act in the US.
To SEF operators, RTS is recommending its RTD CORE matching engine and connectivity to the major clearing houses capable of clearing swaps. SEFs using RTS technology will be able to offer market users a single platform for multi-asset OTC and exchange-traded execution, with the ability to offset their OTC contracts against underlying markets.
Futures clearing firms and broker-dealers participating in these SEFs will be able to use RTS technology to set and control risk levels on the platform, with functionality and risk monitoring and the application of built-in limits.
The off-the-shelf central order and routing and execution system RTD CORE can be hosted in one of RTS's global data centres, providing full redundancy. RTS currently connects to more than 135 exchanges and markets globally, with co-located, low-latency access to 65.
BT builds out Latin American connectivity network
UK telecom provider BT has unveiled a series of investments aimed at doubling its business in Latin America over the next three years, including recruiting 250 new staff, increasing its professional services capabilities, opening new regional ”centres of excellence' and implementing network improvements.
BT Radianz, the firm's financial services network, already has more than 500 customer connections across Latin America, with the largest presence in Brazil, Mexico and Argentina, and plans to extend its network by increasing its number of points of presence by around 20% and launching Ethernet services in 21 cities. Latin American companies will benefit from BT's ability to provide IP VPN services in 197 countries/ territories, Ethernet VPN services in 28 countries and an applications performance management service around the world.
BT will also deploy three new centres of excellence, in Rio de Janeiro (satellite technologies, products and services), Bogotá (security and data centre services) and Mexico City (IP telephony and contact centres). The firm will be building a new extension of the BT Cloud Contact platform to give customers access to a ”pay-as-you-go' cloud contact centre.
QuantHouse provides data to Dutch TOM
Dutch retail-focused multilateral trading facility The Order Machine has selected trading solutions provider QuantHouse to supply real-time feeds of market data from European trading venues.
QuantHouse currently has access to 15 global data centres, 45 direct exchange connections and more than 90 total exchange data feeds enabling clients to benefit from greater accessibility and increased efficiency when trading securities.
TOM was established to offer retail banks and brokers a MiFID-compliant platform for best execution in equities. The venue plans to expand to derivatives in the “not too distant” future.
Savvis provides customised trading infrastructure
Cloud infrastructure and hosted IT solutions provider Savvis has launched the first phase of its Savvis Markets Infrastructure, which allows financial services companies to customise IT and connectivity solutions.
Savvis provides IT solutions for buy- and sell-side firms, as well as liquidity venues and technology providers. The firm has 32 data centres and provides low-latency network connectivity. It also hosts the trading systems and matching infrastructure for several equities and derivatives trading venues.
Future scheduled releases will provide enhanced network and latency management tools, providing additional operational insight for market participants.
“The purpose-built solutions made possible by Savvis Markets Infrastructure allow firms to focus their IT resources on their own core competencies, in order to differentiate market offerings and deftly respond to future requirements as they arise,” said Varghese Thomas, global head of financial services for Savvis.