FIA Markets Academy™ is offering a special opportunity to learn in person at Expo 2025, via courses designed to help participants better understand the way derivatives markets work and the rules that protect them. Ideal for traders, sales, client services, and operations professionals and the senior managers that oversee them as well as analysts, programmers and team members that touch the futures markets. Scroll down for details and pricing on each course.
These Markets Academy live courses require a separate registration for each session you plan to attend. If you have purchased an Expo Full Conference registration pass, please contact memberservices@fia.org to receive complementary registration for any of the below offerings. Complimentary registration does not extend to Exhibits Plus purchases.
17-18 November 2025
Monday Sessions $30 members, $35 Non-members | Tuesday Sessions $20
MONDAY 17 NOVEMBER
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Markets Academy: Futures Market Basics
Monday 17 November | 09:45 am - 10:45 am | Chicago Ballroom 9 (Level 4)
This introductory session offers a foundational understanding of the futures markets and how they differ from other financial markets. Participants will learn how futures are used to manage risk, the vital role of speculators, and the key characteristics of various market participants. The course will also cover common futures products, contract specifications, and essential options terminology—including premiums, exercise, assignment, and settlement—equipping attendees with the core knowledge needed to navigate the futures landscape.
Speaker
Rick Cooper, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Finance Programs, IIT Stuart School of Business -
Markets Academy: Clearing Basics
Monday 17 November | 11:00 am - 12:15 pm | Chicago Ballroom 9 (Level 4)
This session explores the essential role of clearing, focusing on how it mitigates counterparty risk, ensures the integrity of trades, and protects customer assets. Participants will gain a clear understanding of the clearing process for listed derivatives—from trade execution to final customer statement. The session will conclude with a forward-looking discussion on emerging trends in clearing, including digital asset products and the evolving landscape of U.S. Treasury clearing.
Speaker
John P. Davidson, Principal, Pirnie Advisory, LLC -
Markets Academy: Physical Commodity Basics
Monday 17 November | 01:15 pm - 02:30 pm | Chicago Ballroom 9 (Level 4)
This course provides an overview of how physically-settled commodity contracts are structured and traded across exchanges, the role of technology, and key regulatory considerations. The course also delves into commodity types, market volatility, the influence of geopolitics, and the evolving landscape of commodity derivatives.
Speaker
Clive Furness, CEO, Contango Markets Ltd. -
Markets Academy: Swaps Market Basics
Monday 17 November | 03:00 pm - 04:15 pm | Chicago Ballroom 9 (Level 4)
This course explores major OTC derivatives products, including interest rate swaps and credit derivatives, with an emphasis on their distinctive structures and use cases. The session will detail key differences between OTC and listed markets, as well as between OTC cleared and uncleared products, highlighting areas such as product customization, deal negotiation, collateralization, typical risk factors, and trading mechanisms. Attendees will gain insight into the evolution of these products and will examine important market trends and emerging areas, including smart contracts, tokenization, and the deployment of artificial intelligence.
Speaker
Jamila Piracci, Founder & Principal, Roos Innovations
TUESDAY 18 NOVEMBER
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Markets Academy: Treasury Clearing Basics
Tuesday 18 November | 10:00 am - 10:30 am | Chicago Ballroom 9 (Level 4)
This foundational session will walk attendees through the key elements of the Treasury clearing mandate. It will explore which entities are currently offering Treasury clearing services, those clearing organizations planning to provide services in the Treasury market, the various access models available. You'll also gain insight into regulatory developments—including as to how FCMs and commodity pools will be treated? How is the industry preparing for the launch?
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Markets Academy: Cryptocurrency & Blockchain Basics
Tuesday 18 November | 11:00 am - 11:45 am | Chicago Ballroom 9 (Level 4)
Curious about cryptocurrency and blockchain technology? This session covers the fundamentals of the rapidly growing $4T crypto industry and walks through the real-world example of Pyth Network, a blockchain project redefining market data distribution. Join us to learn about how these new technologies are shaping finance.
Speaker
Jayant Krishnamurthy, CTO, Douro Labs -
Markets Academy: Tokenization Basics
Tuesday 18 November | 01:45 pm - 02:30 pm | Chicago Ballroom 9 (Level 4)
Interest in tokenization of real-world assets is accelerating—and the futures industry is taking notice. This session introduces the fundamentals of tokenization and explores current and potential applications in futures markets. This session offers insights you need to engage in the tokenization conversation and understand how it might apply to your role or organization.
