IPC’s Connexus Cloud Wins 2020 FinTech Breakthrough Award for Best Cryptocurrency Information Source

NEW YORK, March 11, 2020 – IPC, a leading global provider of secure, compliant communications and networking solutions for the global financial markets, today announced that its Connexus™ Cloud platform has won the 2020 FinTech Breakthrough Award for “Best Cryptocurrency Information Source”. The FinTech Breakthrough Awards program recognizes the top companies, technologies and products in the global FinTech market.

“Digital transformation is a chief concern for IPC’s robust community of global financial institutions, which is why we’ve always endeavored to offer the latest innovations, including cryptocurrencies,” said David Brown, Chief Operating Officer, IPC. “Today, institutional investors can access real-time data and transact on a wide array of crypto-assets as well as traditional asset classes through our flagship Connexus Cloud platform.”

IPC’s Connexus Cloud has been integrated with multiple cryptocurrency and digital asset information sources and trading platforms, such as:

  • CME CF Cryptocurrency Pricing Products: CME’s CF Bitcoin Reference Rate and Real-Time Index, CME CF Ether-Dollar Reference Rate and Real-Time Index.
  • Cboe Cryptocurrency Feed Summary and Feed Premium: Real-time data on three pairs — Ether to Bitcoin, Bitcoin to USD, and Ether to USD.
  • ICE Data Services’ Cryptocurrency Data Feed: The ICE Cryptocurrency Data Feed streams real-time and historical data for many actively traded digital currencies globally.
  • ZOOZBIT: ZOOZBIT combines a traditional licensed bank, multi-asset exchange, and a variety of advanced cryptocurrency services.
  • Omniex: Institutional investors can access many cryptocurrency surveillance and trading tools through Omniex, an institutionally focused investment and trading platform for digital assets.

The FinTech Breakthrough Awards is the premier awards program founded to recognize the FinTech innovators, leaders and visionaries from around the world in a range of categories including Banking, Personal Finance, Lending, Payments, Investments, RegTech, and InsurTech. The 2020 FinTech Breakthrough Award program attracted more than 3,750 nominations from across the globe.

“There has been much discussion about institutional investment in cryptocurrencies, and the secure, high-performance Connexus Cloud platform represents a ‘breakthrough’ milestone in the digital asset trading arena,” said James Johnson, Managing Director, FinTech Breakthrough. “We are thrilled to recognize Connexus Cloud as the ‘Best Cryptocurrency Information Source’ in the 2020 FinTech Breakthrough Awards program.”

Connexus Cloud is an unparalleled multi-cloud platform for the global financial markets, an ecosystem that interconnects more than 6,600 diverse capital market participants across 750 cities in over 60 countries. Market participants interested in speaking to IPC subject matter experts about Connexus Cloud can schedule a meeting with us. We also encourage you to learn more at www.ipc.com.

About IPC

IPC is a technology and service leader powering the global financial markets. We help clients anticipate change and solve problems, setting the standard with industry expertise, exceptional service and comprehensive technology. With a customer-first mentality, IPC brings together one of the largest and most diverse global financial ecosystems spanning all asset classes and market participants. As the enabler of this ecosystem, IPC empowers the community to interact, transact and react to market changes and challenges, and we collaborate with our customers to help make them secure, productive, compliant and connected. Visit ipc.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter (@IPC_Systems_Inc).

About FinTech Breakthrough
Part of Tech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence and recognition platform for technology innovation and leadership, the FinTech Breakthrough Awards program is devoted to honoring excellence in Financial Technologies and Services companies and products. The FinTech Breakthrough Awards provide public recognition for the achievements of FinTech companies and products in categories including Payments, Personal Finance, Wealth Management, Fraud Protection, Banking, Lending, RegTech, InsurTech and more. For more information visit www.FinTechBreakthrough.com.

Certain statements contained in this press release may be forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projection and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

An Industry First: Cloud9 and IPC Launch Innovative Disaster Recovery as a Service Solution

NEW YORK – March 4, 2020 – IPC, a leading provider of communications and networking solutions for the financial markets, and Cloud9 Technologies (“Cloud9”), a leader in cloud-based communications, announce today the launch of Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS). The introduction of this state-of-the-art cloud-based offering for financial firms transforms the industry with a complete turnkey solution for voice trading disaster recovery. DRaaS is a SaaS service that allows traders to have ubiquitous access to a custom-designed virtual trading desk from any global location during an emergency.

“Political unrest, natural disasters, pandemic threats and a litany of other unpredictable events frequently jeopardize the most critical operations of traders,” said Bob Santella, Chief Executive Officer, IPC. “Continuous innovation is in IPC’s DNA and the launch of DRaaS, an industry first, is an example of us pursuing partnerships and constantly solving for some of the most pressing challenges facing financial market participants.”

“DRaaS, developed by our award-winning partnership with IPC, can protect your business’ most vital trading functions during a disaster,” said Gerald Starr, Chief Executive Officer, Cloud9. “DRaaS is transformational for the industry as all market participants can be empowered with a complete disaster recovery plan that requires little or no capital expense or infrastructure investment.”

DRaaS is underpinned by two award-winning solutions – IPC’s Connexus Cloud™ multi-cloud platform, a global ecosystem that interconnects more than 6,600 diverse capital market participants across 750 cities in over 60 countries, and Cloud9’s C9 Trader™ voice communications and analytics platform. DRaaS is agnostic to the customer’s existing voice technology and is designed to work with all trading systems and other endpoints. The annual DRaaS subscription model affords firms the ability to support any number of trading positions for their business contingency requirements through a plan customized for each trader’s configuration.

The DRaaS solution unites the best of IPC and Cloud9 technologies to address an underserved market requirement. Traders have access to the following voice trading features from any location during an emergency:

  • Full featured and customized soft turret interface on the user’s computer/laptop
  • Access to all IPC trader voice services and trading counterparties
  • Full voice recording and trading compliance
  • Outgoing public switched telephone network (PSTN) calling
  • Global intercom between all DRaaS users within the firm
  • Global hoot & holler

Market participants interested in speaking to IPC and Cloud9 subject matter experts about DRaaS can schedule a meeting with us. We also encourage you to learn more at www.ipc.com and www.c9tec.com.

 

About IPC

IPC is a technology and service leader powering the global financial markets. We help clients anticipate change and solve problems, setting the standard with industry expertise, exceptional service and comprehensive technology. With a customer-first mentality, IPC brings together one of the largest and most diverse global financial ecosystems spanning all asset classes and market participants. As the enabler of this ecosystem, IPC empowers the community to interact, transact and react to market changes and challenges, and we collaborate with our customers to help make them secure, productive, compliant and connected. Visit ipc.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter (@IPC_Systems_Inc).

About Cloud9 Technologies

Cloud9 Technologies is the leading voice communication and analytics platform designed for the unique needs of the financial markets. Cloud9 developed a solution that harnesses the voice communication talk path for the trading floor of the future – offering more functionality and analytic insight than legacy hardware at a fraction of the cost. Cloud9 connects counterparties across all asset classes via a cloud-based communication platform that eliminates the infrastructure and expense associated with legacy hardware and telecommunication-based solutions, with front-office focused data and transcription, purpose-built for the financial markets. For more information, visit: c9tec.com.

Certain statements contained in this press release may be forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projection and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

IPC and Cloud9 Win ‘Best Cloud-Based Trading Data Management Solution’ at the TradingTech Insight Awards Europe 2020

LONDON, February 26, 2020 — IPC, a leading global provider of secure, compliant communications and networking solutions for financial market participants, and Cloud9 Technologies, a leader in cloud-based communications, today announced that their integrated voice-trading platform has won the “Best Cloud-Based Trading Data Management Solution” category at the TradingTech Insight Awards Europe 2020. IPC and Cloud9 received the award at a ceremony on February 25, 2020 in London.

“We dedicate this award to our customers, who have rapidly embraced the transformative voice trading platform IPC has built in conjunction with Cloud9,” said Bob Santella, Chief Executive Officer, IPC. “We knew that by working together, the IPC and Cloud9 platform would become the number one choice for traders globally.”

“We had one goal with this partnership, and that was to empower financial firms to build smarter and more profitable trading strategies,” said Gerald Starr, Chief Executive Officer, Cloud9. “It’s immensely rewarding that the industry at large already recognizes the value delivered by the IPC-Cloud9 integrated trading solution.”

Rapidly being deployed around the world, the IPC-Cloud9 platform provides the global trading community with a unified solution for endpoint connectivity, mobility, advanced data analytics and business continuity planning. The integrated cloud-based service unites IPC’s Unigy™ trading communications platform and Connexus™ Cloud global financial ecosystem with Cloud9’s C9 Trader™ voice communications and analytics platform.

Produced by A-Team, the TradingTech Insight Awards Europe emphasize operational and product excellence in financial trading technology and reflect the different challenges facing market practitioners and suppliers as they seek to develop trading and data solutions in the rapidly changing European marketplace. The shortlist was selected by the TradingTech Advisory Board, as well as A-Team’s editorial team, with the winner voted for by the TradingTech Insight readership.

 About IPC

IPC is a technology and service leader powering the global financial markets. We help clients anticipate change and solve problems, setting the standard with industry expertise, exceptional service and comprehensive technology. With a customer-first mentality, IPC brings together one of the largest and most diverse global financial ecosystems spanning all asset classes and market participants. As the enabler of this ecosystem, IPC empowers the community to interact, transact and react to market changes and challenges, and we collaborate with our customers to help make them secure, productive, compliant and connected. Visit ipc.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter (@IPC_Systems_Inc).

About Cloud9 Technologies
Cloud9 Technologies is the leading voice communication and analytics platform designed for the unique needs of the financial markets. Cloud9 developed a solution that harnesses the voice communication talk path for the trading floor of the future – offering more functionality and analytic insight than legacy hardware at a fraction of the cost. Cloud9 connects counterparties across all asset classes via a cloud-based communication platform that eliminates the infrastructure and expense associated with legacy hardware and telecommunication-based solutions, with front-office focused data and transcription, purpose-built for the financial markets. For more information, visit: www.c9tec.com.

Certain statements contained in this press release may be forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projection and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

IPC’s Global Financial Community and Connexus Cloud Ecosystem Expands Into Energy Markets

LONDON – February 4, 2020 –  IPC, a leading global provider of secure, compliant communications and networking solutions for the global financial markets community, announces today its expansion into the European Energy Exchange (EEX), Europe’s leading energy exchange. The world’s top financial institutions rely on IPC’s Connexus Cloud platform for trade execution, order routing, market data delivery, and accessing influential marketplaces like EEX. Meanwhile, EEX provides access to the biggest power market worldwide, but it is far more than simply a power-trading platform, as continuous diversification has led to EEX Group becoming a global commodity exchange.

“There might not be a more complex market than energy,” said Jeffrey Britell, Senior Vice President, Global Network Services, IPC. “From the global breadth of power creation and trading, to the amazing advances we’ve seen in recent years regarding ‘smart’ energy, such as solar and wind, providing our customers access to the dominant energy marketplaces is a must. And the European Energy Exchange is without question one of the most important energy marketplaces worldwide.”

Headquartered in Leipzig, Germany, EEX Group reconfirmed in 2019 its position as the top exchange group in power trading worldwide for the third year running, with growth of 30% from the previous year. Globally, energy consumption market overall is projected to continue to rise to 650 million terajoules by 2035*.

IPC’s Connexus Cloud is an unparalleled private, secure cloud solution for the global financial markets. By providing and integrating private and hybrid clouds, and enabling secure access to over 550 public clouds, Connexus Cloud empowers the use of cloud for secure, high-performance data and voice communications. This includes enhanced deliveries for blockchain, market data and transactions. The Connexus Cloud multi-cloud platform links together the global capital markets with sell-side and buy-side firms, inter-dealer brokers, liquidity venues, energy firms, trade lifecycle providers, and market-data vendors as well as clearing and settlement firms. They are interconnected in an ecosystem of more than 6,600 capital market participants across 750 cities in over 60 countries across the globe.

 About IPC

IPC is a technology and service leader powering the global financial markets. We help clients anticipate change and solve problems, through industry expertise, exceptional service and comprehensive technology. With a customer-first mentality, IPC brings together one of the largest and most diverse global financial ecosystems spanning a breadth of asset classes and market participants. As the enabler of this ecosystem, IPC empowers the community to interact, transact and react to market changes and challenges, and we collaborate with our customers to help make them secure, productive, compliant and connected. Visit ipc.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter (@IPC_Systems_Inc).

* McKinsey report: https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/McKinsey/Industries/Oil%20and%20Gas/Our%20Insights/Global%20Energy%20Perspective%202019/McKinsey-Energy-Insights-Global-Energy-Perspective-2019_Reference-Case-Summary.ashx

Certain statements contained in this press release may be forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “should” or “will” or similar terminology. Any forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results may differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

IPC to Sponsor and Attend IBEX India Conference 2020

Mumbai – January 23, 2020 – IPC, a leading global provider of secure, compliant communications and networking solutions for the financial markets community today announced it will be sponsoring IBEX India’s 8th international trade fair and conference on banking technology equipment and services. The conference is scheduled to take place from  February 13-15, 2020 at the Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai.

IBEX India is an integral part of the banking ecosystem bringing together technology providers, banking professionals and regulators from various countries under one roof. Organised alongside a large exhibition format the conference provides an opportunity for stakeholders to come together to explore understand and deliberate on the challenges and opportunities in adapting innovative & future-focused banking technologies. Featuring over 36 speakers with special presentations and panel discussions on topics such as the future banking landscape, government policies for security in a hyper-connected world, accelerating cloud adoption in financial services and RegTech to ensure compliance. The conference will also feature case studies focusing on some of the latest technologies adopted to increase customer experience amongst the digital banking generation.

The broad range of market participants relying on IPC’s solutions has become an integral part of one of the world’s largest and most diverse financial ecosystems comprising buy-side firms, sell-side firms, inter-dealer brokers, listed and OTC liquidity venues, trade lifecycle service providers, market data vendors and clearing/settlement firms. All regulated users in a firm, including traders, researchers, portfolio managers, risk managers, compliance professionals, technologists, settlement personnel and operations staff, can leverage IPC’s portfolio of solutions for mission-critical external communications and internal workflows.

In addition to Mumbai, IPC has offices throughout the Asia-Pacific region, including Beijing, Hong Kong,  Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, and Tokyo.

Market participants interested in speaking to IPC’s subject matter experts can schedule a meeting with Sandip Pal at the event. We also encourage you to follow IPC on Twitter @IPC_Systems_Inc and LinkedIn.

 About IPC

IPC is a technology and service leader powering the global financial markets. We help clients anticipate change and solve problems, setting the standard with industry expertise, exceptional service and comprehensive technology. With a customer-first mentality, IPC brings together one of the largest and most diverse global financial ecosystems spanning all asset classes and market participants. As the enabler of this ecosystem, IPC empowers the community to interact, transact and react to market changes and challenges, and we collaborate with our customers to make them secure, productive, compliant and connected. Visit ipc.com and follow us on Linkedin and Twitter (@IPC_Systems_Inc).

 Certain statements contained in this press release may be forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “should” or “will” or similar terminology. Any forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results may differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

IPC to Attend ICMA Switzerland and Liechtenstein Region’s Winter Event 2020

January 22, 2020 – IPC, a leading global provider of secure, compliant communications and networking solutions for financial market participants, will be attending ICMA Switzerland and Liechtenstein Region’s Winter Event in Zermatt, Switzerland, from 24th-26th January 2020.

The annual winter gathering is open to ICMA’s entire global membership, as well as to non-members, and brings together over 150 regional representatives from across Europe. This makes it an ideal opportunity to exchange views and experiences with peers in the cross-border bond market and the Switzerland and Liechtenstein capital market community.

IPC will be attending the long-standing annual event to share our insights and discuss our wide range of products and solutions for the bond and capital markets. These offerings include Unigy and Connexus Cloud. Unigy is IPC’s latest game-changing, state-of-the-art, SOA-based platform for trading communications and applications. It is flexible, secure, robust and simple. Unigy uses the latest standards-based technology and architecture to help drive flexibility and scalability and is designed specifically to make the entire trading environment more productive, compliant, intelligent and efficient.

Connexus Cloud is an unparalleled private, secure cloud solution for the global financial markets. By providing and integrating private and hybrid clouds, and enabling secure access to over 550 public clouds, Connexus Cloud empowers the use of cloud for secure, guaranteed, high-performance data and voice communications. This includes optimised deliveries for blockchain, market data and transactions.

The Connexus Cloud multi-cloud platform links together the global capital markets with sell-side and buy-side firms, inter-dealer brokers, liquidity venues, energy firms, trade lifecycle providers, and market-data vendors as well as clearing and settlement firms. They are interconnected in an ecosystem of more than 6,600 capital market participants across 750 cities in over 60 countries across the globe.

Event attendees interested in speaking with IPC can schedule a meeting with Denis Waechter. We also encourage you to follow us on Twitter @IPC_Systems_Inc and LinkedIn.

About IPC

IPC is a technology and service leader powering the global financial markets. We help clients anticipate change and solve problems, setting the standard with industry expertise, exceptional service and comprehensive technology. With a customer-first mentality, IPC brings together one of the largest and most diverse global financial ecosystems spanning all asset classes and market participants. As the enabler of this ecosystem, IPC empowers the community to interact, transact and react to market changes and challenges, and we collaborate with our customers to make them secure, productive, compliant and connected. Learn more at ipc.com.

Certain statements contained in this press release may be forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “should” or “will” or similar terminology. Any forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results may differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

IPC to Attend E-World Energy & Water 2020

January 20, 2020 – IPC, a leading global provider of secure, compliant communications and networking solutions for financial market participants, will be attending E-World Energy & Water in Essen, Germany, from the 11th – 13th February 2020. This year marks IPC’s seventh consecutive year attending the leading trade fair for the energy industry.

At the event, organisations and international decision makers in the energy sector congregate from around the globe to showcase innovative energy solutions and discuss key industry issues, such as global political and economic trends, smart technology, energy transition, and new financial industry opportunities.

IPC looks to support forward-thinking industry participants to help further unlock energy industry opportunities as we continue to learn from our valued relationships with customers in the energy field. With energy and commodities trading increasing year after year, IPC’s experts will also be onsite to discuss how IPC is working with Cloud9 Technologies, a leader in cloud-based communications, to offer an advanced, open voice trading and collaboration solution so organisations can stay ahead of the curve in the industry by utilising cloud solutions.

IPC has a wide range of its own products and solutions as well that power energy and commodities trading. These offerings include Unigy and Connexus Cloud. Unigy is IPC’s latest game-changing, state-of-the-art, SOA-based platform for trading communications and applications. It is flexible, secure, robust and simple. Unigy uses the latest standards-based technology and architecture to help drive flexibility and scalability and is designed specifically to make the entire trading environment more productive, compliant, intelligent and efficient.

The Connexus Cloud multi-cloud platform links together the global capital markets with sell-side and buy-side firms, inter-dealer brokers, liquidity venues, energy firms, trade lifecycle providers, and market-data vendors as well as clearing and settlement firms. They are interconnected in an ecosystem of more than 6,600 capital market participants across 750 cities in over 60 countries across the globe.

With Connexus Cloud, IPC facilitates voice, data, partners and applications for users across the global financial sector.

By providing and integrating private and hybrid clouds, and enabling secure access to over 550 public clouds, Connexus Cloud empowers the use of cloud for secure, guaranteed, high-performance data and voice communications. This includes optimised deliveries for blockchain, market data and transactions.

Event attendees interested in speaking with IPC can visit us in Hall 2 at stand 2-231. We also encourage you to follow us on Twitter @IPC_Systems_Inc and LinkedIn.

About IPC

IPC is a technology and service leader powering the global financial markets. We help clients anticipate change and solve problems, setting the standard with industry expertise, exceptional service and comprehensive technology. With a customer-first mentality, IPC brings together one of the largest and most diverse global financial ecosystems spanning all asset classes and market participants. As the enabler of this ecosystem, IPC empowers the community to interact, transact and react to market changes and challenges, and we collaborate with our customers to make them secure, productive, compliant and connected. Learn more at ipc.com.

Certain statements contained in this press release may be forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “should” or “will” or similar terminology. Any forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results may differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

Three Trends Shaping the FX Markets

By Bob Santella, Chief Executive Officer, IPC

Bob Santella has worked in the financial industry for over three decades. In this article, Bob explores some of the dynamic changes that he has witnessed in the FX markets and discusses how firms can succeed in an environment where technology-driven influences are buffeting the industry.
According to the 2019 Triennial Survey by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), trading in the FX markets totaled $6.6 trillion per day in April 2019, up from $5.1 trillion three years earlier. While traditional hubs such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan still facilitate the vast majority of all foreign exchange trading, many emerging markets are making substantial inroads. For example, mainland China has recently recorded a notable rise in trading activity, making it the 8th largest FX trading center (up from 13th in April 2016), according to the same 2019 survey.

This level of activity brings challenges as well as opportunities, and FX markets are more competitive than ever. New regions and players are catching up with developed markets by closing the technology gap, improving institutional capacity and accumulating physical and human capital. Consequently, the industry needs to change and adapt at an increasingly fast pace. Globalization has created a wider playing field for new entrants and opportunities abound.

Three trends in particular – technological breakthroughs like artificial intelligence (AI), the advent of the “subscription economy,” and the growth of the partnership model – are disproportionately affecting the FX markets.

Opportunities created by AI

In recent years, technological breakthroughs and innovation have created opportunities in the FX markets. Specifically, AI is having a significant impact on trading activity, deployment of investment capital and the use of technology. AI is not just a consumer trend; of all the technologies that drive digital transformation in the enterprise, AI is often touted as the most disruptive. It is rapidly changing the business environment, and the financial markets are no exception.

AI is helping humans to quickly make more informed decisions in the FX markets by analyzing huge amounts of data and information in a matter of seconds. As traders seek to make their workloads more efficient and increase profitability, there has been dramatic growth in AI-assisted voice trading, which can listen to calls, translate voice to data, interpret that data, and provide in-depth insight for traders.

IPC
AI is having a significant impact on trading activity, deployment of investment capital and the use of technology


The rise of the “subscription economy”

Until recently, businesses that desired to utilize advances in technology would often be required to spend meaningful capital. The cost/benefit of making such investments has impacted the adoption of AI and other innovative technologies in the financial industry.

However, a new opportunity for the markets is the extraordinary growth of the “subscription economy”. For those unfamiliar with the term, this refers to businesses offering their products and services on a subscription basis to customers rather than charging them a large upfront fee in the form of a license payment.

The subscription model is already popular in other sectors such as online streaming services and is transforming the way FX firms evaluate investing in new technologies and systems. Companies no longer have to necessarily weigh the high initial payment of purchasing a new system as a subscription structure allows for less commitment and lower upfront costs. Thus, it is now much easier for an FX trading firm to switch technology platforms and providers. The organizations providing these services or products must now be even more responsive to customer needs in order to retain long-term recurring revenue.

IPC
The subscription model is transforming the way FX firms evaluate investing in new technologies and systems


The growth of the partnership model

Another very effective way to meet and exceed customer expectations is leveraging third-party partnerships and collaborations. In today’s rapidly evolving FX landscape, the pool of clients is shrinking and competition is rife.
Usually, larger organizations have a foundation of loyal customers to maintain their market presence even in tough economic conditions. These ‘incumbents’ have advantages in size and their networks add a multiplier effect.

And yet, in spite of that, we often see big, traditional organizations lose out to smaller challenger start-ups who are more acutely aware of a gap in the market and pounce. These FinTech disrupters attack some of the most profitable elements of the FX value chain.

It may make sense, therefore, for an incumbent to consider a partnership with a challenger to provide a service or product that both of their customers demand. It also enables both firms to penetrate new markets, create more distribution channels, customize solutions for clients and establish an integrated platform.

Not only are there many advantages to partnering for organizations – such as increased customers and net outcome – the benefits of partnerships to customers are significantly greater. As quite often is the case, customers may be simultaneously paying for multiple products or services. Therefore, a partnership can mean synergies which will better serve customers and save them time and money.

In all respects, a firm’s ability to adapt to new trends is vital to its lasting growth. As the frenetic pace of change – which has been the hallmark of the FX industry – continues, the organizations that constantly innovate for customers, such as through AI, adapting to the subscription economy and leveraging the partnership model, will be the ones that successfully navigate the markets.

IPC
A very effective way to meet and exceed customer expectations in FX is leveraging third-party partnerships and collaborations

 

The article was first published here.

Lima Stock Exchange Joins IPC’s Global Financial Community and Connexus Cloud Ecosystem

NEW YORK – December 18, 2019 –  IPC, a leading global provider of secure, compliant communications and networking solutions for the global financial markets community, announces today its expansion into the Lima Stock Exchange (Bolsa de Valores de Lima; BVL). BVL, the stock exchange of Peru, is one of the most important stock exchanges in the southern hemisphere with a market capitalization of approximately US$149 billion, equivalent to roughly 67% of Peru’s GDP. It is the most active mining stock exchange in South America. BVL’s market data is now available to IPC clients in the equity and derivatives markets.

“Wherever clients want to transact, IPC continues to support their investment goals,” said Mike Smith, Director of Global Exchange Relations Management, IPC. “With the addition of the Lima Stock Exchange to IPC’s global ecosystem, we continue to grow our all-encompassing cloud delivery model.”

“The Lima Stock Exchange constantly strives to find new ways to make our market information more accessible to global investors. Therefore, we are pleased to collaborate with IPC and continue to strengthen the profile of our market and improve the investor experience,” said Miguel A. Zapatero, Business General Manager, Lima Stock Exchange.

BVL was founded in 1860 and has nearly 260 listed companies. The exchange is also significantly strengthened through its participation in the Mercado Integrado Latinoamericano (MILA). Through MILA, companies listed on BVL have a much higher international exposure due to its integration with equity markets in Colombia, Chile and Mexico.

IPC’s Connexus Cloud is an unparalleled private, secure cloud solution for the global financial markets. By providing and integrating private and hybrid clouds, and enabling secure access to over 550 public clouds, Connexus Cloud empowers the use of cloud for secure, guaranteed, high-performance data and voice communications. This includes optimized deliveries for blockchain, market data and transactions. The Connexus Cloud multi-cloud platform links together the global capital markets with sell-side and buy-side firms, inter-dealer brokers, liquidity venues, energy firms, trade lifecycle providers, and market-data vendors as well as clearing and settlement firms. They are interconnected in an ecosystem of more than 6,600 capital market participants across 750 cities in over 60 countries across the globe.

About IPC

IPC is a technology and service leader powering the global financial markets. We help clients anticipate change and solve problems, setting the standard with industry expertise, exceptional service and comprehensive technology. With a customer-first mentality, IPC brings together one of the largest and most diverse global financial ecosystems spanning all asset classes and market participants. As the enabler of this ecosystem, IPC empowers the community to interact, transact and react to market changes and challenges, and we collaborate with our customers to help make them secure, productive, compliant and connected. Visit ipc.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter (@IPC_Systems_Inc).

About BVL

Bolsa de Valores de Lima (BVL) is the stock exchange for the Peruvian market. It facilitates securities trading by providing a series of services, systems and mechanisms to a fair, competitive, transparent and streamlined market. S&P/BVL Peru General Index and S&P/BVL Peru Select Index and S&P/BVL IBGC Index are the current benchmarks of the local market. For more information, visit bvl.com.pe

Certain statements contained in this press release may be forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “should” or “will” or similar terminology. Any forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results may differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

How Partnerships Can Propel Digital Transformation

First Published: ChiefExecutive.net/Byline/December, 2019

Virtually every company in the financial industry is interested in digital transformation, the integration of digital technologies into all business areas in order to fundamentally improve and create new value for customers. Many pundits and trend watchers have labeled this movement a new Industrial Revolution of sorts wrought by a connected, smart world. A recent IDC study estimates that spending on the technologies and services that enable digital transformation will reach $2.3 trillion globally by 2023, more than half of all information and communications technology spending worldwide.

In the global financial markets, digital transformation is perhaps an even greater priority than for other sectors. Because of the highly regulated nature of the financial markets, for many decades, the industry was often sheltered from the tilting balance of power toward the consumer. Bringing the financial industry’s business processes into the 21st century is a complex task, but one that is absolutely worth the commitment.

IPC, a financial technology provider founded nearly 50 years ago, is well aware of the benefits and pitfalls of large-scale transformation, as it has successfully reinvented itself several times in its storied history. But when I joined in 2018, IPC was once again facing a market completely upended by new technologies, which ranged from blockchain to machine learning. How could we continue to innovate amid a market that sometimes feels like it had metamorphosed overnight?

We were also well aware of the common reasons given when large transformation projects struggle to meet deadlines—they’re usually ascribed to breakdowns in communications or measurement. Those are for sure important points, but many roadblocks on the path to digital transformation could be solved by simply asking for help. I’ve heard the distrust of outside solutions called the “Not Built Here Syndrome,” and it has been blamed for a range of corporate crises.

I’m proud to say that over the last few years, IPC has greatly strengthened its position and digitally transformed through a wide array of partnerships, both future-oriented and also addressing present needs. For example, I recently rang the closing bell at NASDAQ alongside Cloud9 CEO Jerry Starr in celebration of our joint collaboration on an advanced, open voice trading solution that unites Cloud9’s C9 Trader voice communications and analytics platform, IPC’s Unigy trading communications platform and the Connexus Cloud financial ecosystem.

IPC also invested in GreenKey Technologies, creator of natural language processing (NLP) workflows for the financial markets, earlier this year. NLP is a cutting-edge technology enabled by improvements in machine learning, and an area of immense growth as well as interest to IPC’s customers. For example, through this partnership, we recently designed ‘Blotter,’ a pioneering data visualization tool that enables financial market participants to convert their OTC voice quotes into a structured data feed.

We’ve been working with GreenKey for nearly two years after we identified them as first-movers in NLP, growing our initial partnership into a strategic investment, through which I also joined the GreenKey board of directors.

By collaborating with partners like Cloud9, GreenKey and others, IPC is penetrating new markets, creating more distribution channels, customizing solutions for clients and providing an integrated cloud-enabled communications platform for the markets. The same is true of digital transformation overall. Our customers are looking to reap the benefits of a connected, smart world, and that applies not just to our devices, but to our business leaders as well.