finance

waters

Emilia David, US reporter for Waters, joins Anthony and James to look at the 10 biggest topics and the news stories built around these trends.
 
1:45 Before the list, an update on next year’s Women in Technology and Data Awards.
 
3:30 (10.) Market Structure: ECB to Examine Closer Target2 and T2S Integration
https://www.waterstechnology.com/operations/clearing-settlement/3427426/ecb-to-examine-closer-target2-and-t2s-integration 
 
5:45 (9.) T+2: T2 Settlement Begins in US Markets
https://www.waterstechnology.com/industry-issues-initiatives/3419486/t2-settlement-begins-in-us-markets 
 
9:00 (8.) Brexit: Tech Challenges Loom as Europe Eyes London’s Clearinghouses
https://www.waterstechnology.com/operations/clearing-settlement/3386981/tech-challenges-loom-as-europe-eyes-londons-clearinghouses 
 
10:50 (7.) Cybersecurity: SEC Company Information Database Attacked
https://www.waterstechnology.com/organization-management/3425396/sec-company-information-database-attacked 
 
14:15 (6.) Quantum Computing: JPMorgan and Barclays Join IBM Q Network
https://www.waterstechnology.com/industry-issues-initiatives/3462511/jpmorgan-and-barclays-join-ibm-q-network 
 
18:15 (5.) Artificial Intelligence: IBM Takes Aim at Regtech Space Using Cognitive Technology
https://www.waterstechnology.com/regulation-compliance/3387156/ibm-takes-aim-at-regtech-space-using-cognitive-technology 
 
20:50 (4.) Blockchain: Blockchain Not Yet Ready to Power T+0 Settlement
https://www.waterstechnology.com/industry-issues-initiatives/3417141/blockchain-not-yet-ready-to-power-t0-settlement 
 
24:15 (3.) Mifid II: Esma Says Mifid III Not in the Works
https://www.waterstechnology.com/regulation-compliance/3452396/esma-mifid-iii-not-in-the-works 
 
26:00 (2.) Consolidated Audit Trail: Industry Tight Lipped on CAT Status as Deadline Hits
https://www.waterstechnology.com/exchanges-trading-venues/3447016/industry-tight-lipped-on-cat-status-as-deadline-hits 
 
28:30 (1.) Bitcoin: CFTC Warns on Bitcoin Futures as Exchanges Ready Contracts
https://www.waterstechnology.com/exchanges-trading-venues/3456011/cftc-warns-on-bitcoin-futures-as-exchanges-ready-contracts 
 
32:15 A quick book review: The Three-Body Problem, by Cixin Liu. 
 
37:15 Miya and James review Star Wars Episode VIII. [Spoiler Alert]

Episode 101: The Top 10 Stories of 2017

Anthony and James examine a new report about how the buy side is lagging behind when it comes to blockchain development, and how K-12 education is lagging when it comes to teaching coding.

2:30 A new report takes a deep-dive examination of distributed-ledger technology (DLT) development on the buy side. 

https://www.waterstechnology.com/infrastructure-technologies/3459571/buy-side-bands-together-on-blockchain-vision-in-landmark-paper

5:00 Hasn’t the sell side always taken the reins when it comes to new, industry-wide technologies? For example: cloud. Why should the buy side be proactive when it comes to DLT?

12:00 What should be the way forward for buy-side firms as they start to get into the business of blockchain?

13:30 Schools in America are failing at teaching kids how to code early in their education development. Why is that a problem?

25:30 The problem with movie critics.

Episode 106: Blockchain on the Buy Side; the Importance of Coding

Inside Data Management editor Max Bowie—who has been covering the data space for 15 years—joins the podcast to give his insights as to what the Thomson-Blackstone tie-up could mean for the industry going forward. Then, naturally, they talk about the best breweries and beer bars in Brooklyn and Queens.

https://www.waterstechnology.com/organization-management/alliances-mergers-acquisitions/3482206/thomson-reuters-blackstone-agree-20-bn-financial-risk-unit-spin-off

2:00 To start, a quick update as to the specifics of the deal.
3:45 Amid the uncertainty that this acquisition brings, Max gives his initial impressions as to what some of the main questions will be going forward.
7:00 Then, some speculation as to whether some of the pieces of Thomson Reuters’ Financial & Risk business unit will get sold off, or built upon. 
8:30 Some examples of big acquisitions that went sour and some examples of big acquisitions that worked out. 
11:45 What happens to the companies that Thomson Reuters is invested in, such as Tradeweb and some fintechs. 
13:15 Should companies like FactSet, Standard & Poor’s, Morningstar, Activ Financial and SIX Group, among others, be excited or concerned by this deal?
19:45 For companies orbiting around the Eikon terminal with plug-in services (think: Symphony) should they be concerned?
22:45 Anthony, James and Max turn their attention to beer and, specifically, the best new breweries and bars in Queens and Brooklyn.

Episode 107: An Examination Of The Thomson Reuters - Blackstone Deal

On Wednesday, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) had a meeting of its Technology Advisory Committee (TAC). Anthony and James look at three keys themes that arose during the day-long discussion.

1:00 A quick reminder to enter the Sell-Side Technology Awards.
2:00 Anthony provides some metrics around previous TAC meetings, which have once again become rare occurrences. 
5:00 US regulators are falling behind other countries in the fintech space, according to some.
11:00 The TAC gave little insight as to Regulation Automated Trading’s fate. 
17:00 One commissioner says that the cryptocurrency industry should form a self-regulatory organization. James examines whether that’s a good idea or not (hint: not). 
22:00 Sometimes Anthony and James like to use the podcast to get some things off their chest. In this case, they talk about gun control in America. Feel free to skip their meandering conversation.

Episode 109: An Overview of the CFTC Technology Advisory Committee’s Meeting

After a bit of a lackluster performance last week (apologies), Anthony and James return with renewed vigor to discuss fintechs. We know, we know… you’ve heard this conversation before. Well, our hosts point to several news events to highlight what they believe is a true sea change in the fintech discussions. That goes on for about 36 minutes, and then they ramble about the Oscars. We do recommend the first 36 minutes. 

1:30 Check out this profile of JPMorgan Asset & Wealth Management CIO Mike Urciuoli.
https://www.waterstechnology.com/people/3524061/hurricane-mike-urciuoli-storms-jpmorgan-awm

3:30 A quick look at the SEC handing out its first Reg SCI fine.
https://www.waterstechnology.com/exchanges-trading-venues/3529391/nyse-fined-14-million-by-sec-for-reg-sci-violations

Fintech Disruption
4:30 European authorities have published a wide-ranging strategy designed to formalize the bloc’s response to and efforts in the fintech sector. 
https://www.waterstechnology.com/industry-issues-initiatives/3530876/europe-unveils-fintech-action-plan

8:00 Is it fair to be cynical about the EC’s motivations behind this report?

13:00 How does S&P Global’s acquisition of Kensho Technologies play into this fintech movement that we’re seeing?
https://www.waterstechnology.com/organization-management/alliances-mergers-acquisitions/3529321/sp-global-makes-550-million-bet-on-ai-with-kensho-buy

19:00 Fintechs are playing a major role in some of the big acquisitions we’ve seen this year.
https://www.waterstechnology.com/organization-management/alliances-mergers-acquisitions/3522716/the-big-crunch-traditional-techs-great-contraction

20:00 Also, consider that Tradeworx and Icap made moves over the last year to focus more on being technology companies.
https://www.waterstechnology.com/trading-technologies-and-strategies/3524056/the-curious-case-of-the-trader-vendor

21:30 And, Howard Edelstein is getting into the fintech game, as are Gil Mandelzis and Tom Glocer.
https://www.waterstechnology.com/people/3522406/fintech-luminary-edelstein-signs-on-as-biocatch-ceo

https://www.waterstechnology.com/people/3522406/fintech-luminary-edelstein-signs-on-as-biocatch-ceo

25:00 Retail tech is playing more into the capital markets.
https://www.waterstechnology.com/organization-management/alliances-mergers-acquisitions/3532121/industry-partnership-to-target-desktop-app-interoperability

30:00 As more and more fintechs pop up, it’s creating a crowded marketplace and unforeseen workflow challenges. A new industry group is looking to tackle those challenges.
https://www.waterstechnology.com/organization-management/alliances-mergers-acquisitions/3532121/industry-partnership-to-target-desktop-app-interoperability

36:00 Changing topics, Anthony and James quickly give some of their thoughts on this year’s Oscars ceremony.

And before you go, check out all the winners from the inaugural Women in Data & Technology Awards.
https://www.waterstechnology.com/awards-rankings/3529056/women-in-technology-and-data-awards-2018-all-the-winners

Episode 112: Examples As To How Fintechs Are Being Disruptive

Jesse Lund, head of blockchain solutions for IBM’s Financial Services unit, joins the podcast to discuss the evolution of blockchain.

2:30 Jesse gives a quick look at the IBM Blockchain Platform.

5:00 Real use cases for blockchain in the capital markets.

8:30 How do cryptocurrencies come into play with blockchain’s development?

12:00 Which sectors are the most ripe for blockchain adoption?

15:30 Can distributed ledgers help with the development of industry utilities?

18:00 What are some of the lessons learned during proofs-of-concept?

21:00 What are some of the next steps in blockchain’s development?

24:00 What needs to happen to improve blockchain’s processing times?

26:30 What skills will be necessary for the jobs of the future?

Episode 113: IBM's Jesse Lund on Blockchain Development

Fresh off his trip down to Florida for the FIA Boca conference, James Rundle talks to (a very jealous) Anthony Malakian about some of the key topics of discussion from the event.

2:00 FIA Boca is increasingly becoming a tech conference.
4:00 How the DTCC plans to evolve in a post-blockchain world.
6:30 What other blockchain/DLT stories came out of Boca?
8:00 Cryptocurrencies were getting the most play at the conference.
13:15 Artificial intelligence is also increasingly becoming a point of interest for even non-technologists. 
15:30 People are excited about the Financial Desktop Connectivity and Collaboration Consortium (FDC3).
18:00 The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is not happy about the European Commission’s clearing proposals. 
23:30 Data security, data privacy, and Facebook-Cambridge Analytica.

Episode 114: A Recap of FIA Boca - Blockchain, Crypto, AI, Brexit

This week, Anthony and James look at CME Group’s potential acquisition of NEX Group, with a focus on what this deal entails from a trading-platform perspective, how it might affect the fintech venture capital space, and how Brexit plays into this deal (2:00-11:00) and then Anthony talks about this weekend’s fight between Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker (11:00-19:00).

https://www.waterstechnology.com/organization-management/alliances-mergers-acquisitions/3558686/nex-ceo-sees-opportunity-for-opportunities-after-cme-deal

Episode 115: CME Buys NEX Group

Wei-Shen Wong and Anthony Malakian discuss the hottest financial technology topics in the capital markets every week.

Episode 113: IBM's Jesse Lund on Blockchain Development

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