Viewpoint
Insights and opinions from key FIA staff
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FIA visits Washington
In mid-July, members of the FIA board of directors visited Washington, DC, to hold meetings and explain the details of our efforts with leadership on Capitol Hill and several US federal agencies – the Treasury Department, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission. This annual fly-in provides the platform to share our industry priorities and demonstrate the reach of our industry with the decision-makers.
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We’re good at doing good
The futures industry is taking part in several charity endeavours this month with SGX's Rama Pillai leading the charge in this year's Kilt Challenge.
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Viewpoint - Not dead yet
Since the Brexit vote in 2016, many surmised that the best days of London as a financial center were behind her. The financial engine of mainland Europe was now an outsider looking in and many predicted that Frankfurt, Paris or even New York would replace London’s role. There is no doubt that Brexit has been a net loser financially for the UK, but for a city nearly 2,000 years old, we must look to the positives in the long game. Last week I was in London visiting FIA members and I came away energized and optimistic about the current and future state of this great city.
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Viewpoint – Treasury clearing, portfolio margining and white whales
There are tales in literature and lore of protagonists who obsess over certain quests but who are never able to obtain their elusive capture. For King Arthur, it was the Holy Grail. For Ahab, it was Moby Dick. For Casey’s at bat, it was the homerun. And for me, it’s portfolio margining of cash and futures in the US Treasury market. With the recent mandate by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to clear certain treasuries and repos, this goal is again coming into focus.
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Viewpoint – Brokers and exchanges ramp up resources for retail traders
Retail trading is one of the fastest growing dimensions of the exchange-traded derivatives markets. This trend picked up speed during the pandemic, and it shows no signs of slowing down.
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Viewpoint – The long view on China’s markets
Both the global markets and China benefit from the opening of China's markets to the world. It makes these markets safer and more accessible to investors and hedgers wherever they may reside. This leads to a more resilient global economy and stable world, and that’s a win for everyone.
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Viewpoint – Will 2024 be another record year of trading activity?
Last year the number of futures and options traded on exchanges worldwide hit a record level of 137 billion contracts. It’s worth taking a moment to appreciate just much the industry has grown in the last few years. Last year’s trading volume was 64% higher than the year before, and more than double the total number of contracts that traded in 2021.
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Viewpoint – Reasons to be grateful
Collaborative efforts would not be possible if our members didn’t set aside their self-interests and eagerly dedicate their time to solving broader industry problems.
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Viewpoint – Trends to watch in APAC derivatives markets
It's impossible to sum up everything that’s going on across Asia, but a short list of hot trends that are most important in the region right now include the rise of global benchmarks in the region, the dominance of China commodities exchanges and the exponential growth of India.
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Viewpoint - Disincentivizing clearing: It’s déjà vu all over again
In the wake of Silicon Valley Bank’s failure, U.S. regulators announced in July a proposal that raise the amount of capital required for the clearing of over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives. This is a dangerous move that disincentivizes hedging among businesses, runs counter to reforms aimed at preventing government bailouts, and increases costs for consumers and businesses.
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