It was great to host our second Alpha Trader Forum Cross Asset Derivatives meeting in London on 22nd May. Thank you to all those who participated and contributed.

Leveraging the benchmark research tools K&KGC built over the last 10 years, we could quickly set the scene for the role of the buy-side trader in the investment process as well as which technologies and brokers the buy side are using and evaluating. The buy side had the opportunity to discuss various critical challenges between themselves as well as with our sponsor, Tradeweb.

Better technology and electronification of derivatives trading are on the forefront of the derivatives trader’s mind as well as the processes and tools to evidence best execution.

 
With an increasing number of product types, currencies and new markets that would need to be traded electronically, there is a need for a higher level of industry standardisation. 

The buy side would have expected to see Futures TCA solutions by now, as it would be an easy fix however this is still not available. 
The IBOR transition and EU regulation with new margin and reporting requirements will remain on the agenda for the foreseeable future. 
Based on the request from our German buy-side community, we will host our first FX and cross asset derivatives debates, in parallel with fixed income, in Frankfurt in November.

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Looking forward to seeing you at our next ATF Cross Asset Derivatives debate in London in October or Frankfurt in November!