Opinion
Waters Wavelength Podcast: Episode 228 (Automated bars)
On this episode of the Wavelength Podcast, Wei-Shen and Tony discuss tech disruption in the bar industry.
Waters Wrap: The changing face of news (And the changing face of office design)
Anthony looks at how news organizations and alternative data providers need to change their business models as ‘context’ takes on greater importance. Additionally, he gives his thoughts on open floor plans in a post-Covid world.
UK watchdogs run into security fears
Data security and innovation are always going to be in tension. A new plan to improve regulatory reporting might find itself facing worries over security, Jo says.
BNY’s crypto gambit will test custody tech
As more traditional banks are starting to enter the digital asset custody space, Wei-Shen questions how interoperable they’ll be.
Waters Wrap: A useful use-case for blockchain? (And Broadridge’s bond play)
While not a fan of blockchain, Anthony looks at some potential use-cases for the tool in the world of capital markets. He also gives his thoughts on Broadridge’s soon-to-launch LTX platform.)
Data is boring, right? A look at some innovative market data projects underway
While market data departments are rarely highlighted when it comes to innovation, Max says that doesn’t mean there aren’t disruptive tech projects underway.
Waters Wrap: A dangerous game of Cat & hacker (And reg reporting fees)
Anthony takes a look at the Consolidated Audit Trail and concerns over its security. He also touches on the rapidly changing face of the regulatory reporting marketplace.
Waters Wrap: Microsoft’s capital markets play (And Algorithmics thoughts)
Anthony takes a look at an interesting announcement between FactSet and Microsoft and what it could hint at as to Microsoft’s future in the capital markets. He also examines Algorithmics in the year after the SS&C acquisition.
If it ain’t broke, broker it: IDBs explore new ways of selling data
As interest in OTC marketplaces grows, so does the value of data generated by brokers in those markets. But monetizing that data involves many challenges. Max looks at some potential solutions.
Financial markets and herd mentalities
Support for the little guys (and girls!) of retail investing has been encouraging to witness, but when it comes to GameStop, Wei-Shen wonders what the bigger picture shows.
Advanced analytics ripe for no-code, low-code tools to enter the field
Jo predicts we will see a rise in no-code or low-code tools in the analytics space, but some barriers to scale remain.
Waters Wavelength Podcast: Episode 226 (M&A and people)
On this episode of the Wavelength Podcast, Wei-Shen and Tony talk about the importance of communication when it comes to M&A activity within a company.
Waters Wrap: Dash Financial gets nabbed by Ion (And monetizing data)
Ion Group has acquired Dash Financial. Whether or not this ends up being a good marriage will come down to the people making the tech platforms, Anthony says.
Waters Wrap: The New World of ESG (And GameStop & Interop)
While the Biden administration is already targeting environmental issues with early executive orders, Anthony says that it’s financial giants that will have the greatest effect on ESG investing in the near-term.
Waters Wavelength Podcast: Episode 225 (GameStop)
On this episode of the Wavelength Podcast, Reb Natale joins to talk about the hilarity/stupidity that’s unfolded from the “GameStop/Reddit” controversy. Warning: Rated-R for Language
Waters Wrap: Interop trends that will shape 2021 projects (And silencing the pit)
Anthony brings in some guests to give predictions about what interoperability will look like over the next 12 months and what firms need to start preparing for today.
Waters Wrap: Why Banks Should Start Experimenting with Quantum Today (And ESG’s Next Wave)
If banks want to future-proof against quantum computing disruption, Anthony says they need to start experimenting now. But there’s another reason to start down this path: as Goldman Sach’s William Zeng explains, there’s a lot of funding that’s available…
Crunch Time for Covid-Era Tech
Covid culture is set to continue this year, as are the associated changes to working practices in the financial markets and the technologies that support them. Max wonders what the new ‘virtual’ reality will look like in 2021 and beyond.
Not so Fast: SEC’s SIP Rule Speeds Ahead, But Faces Bumpy Road
Jo is skeptical that the SEC’s finalized market data infrastructure rule will make the public market data feeds faster.
Waters Wrap: App Interop in 2020 (And Tony’s Fave Stories From Last Year)
Anthony takes a look at some of the major projects that involved application interoperability from last year. The list includes feats by Goldman Sachs, BlackRock, Barclays, ICE, State Street, Refinitiv, and FactSet.
As the Benefits of Digital Assets Become Harder to Ignore, What’s the Path Forward?
Lisa Iagatta, Isitc chair, says financial institutions have an opportunity to create more efficient processes in areas such as trade settlements through the use of digital assets.
How Will Covid Lessons Reshape Financial Tech in 2021?
As 2020 comes to a close, Anthony looks at how firms have adjusted their short- and long-term plans in the face of the coronavirus, focusing on office space, innovation, alt data, and mental health.
A Very Covid Christmas
It’s almost Dec. 25, which means that Max Bowie is back with his annual market data Christmas-song column.
Waters Wrap: SS&C Advent & Refinitiv Refine Cloud Plans (And Some Fixed Income Bits)
Anthony looks at how two major tech companies in the capital markets space are evolving their cloud strategies and what they might mean for the industry at large.