Social media
Off-channel messaging (and regulators) still a massive headache for banks
Waters Wrap: Anthony wonders why US regulators are waging a war using fines, while European regulators have chosen a less draconian path.
The good, the bad, and the ugly of financial democratization
From crypto and Web3 to Robinhood and Reddit, democratization underscores it all. While it’s a largely benign concept that aims to level the playing field between institutions and individuals, it’s also really hard to get right.
Tech vendors rethink risk in era of surging options volume
As options volumes soar, technology vendors are thinking about new risks posed when legacy infrastructure meets increasingly complex markets.
What the hell is Web3, anyway?
The next iteration of the internet is upon us, with the potential to deliver radical shifts to every industry, including banking. The movement, which is currently buoyed by the prospects of blockchain and virtual reality, has implications for computing,…
Meme stocks, Reddit, and QAnon: A postcard from the origin of the metaverse
Join WatersTechnology for a look back at the most absurd stories of the year—Reddit/GameStop, the advent of meme stocks, and QAnon—and what they mean for you.
Disinformation campaigns coming to a Wall Street near you
Rebecca examines the tangled web woven between Reddit, meme stocks, and QAnon, and asks how well prepared data providers looking to jump on the meme stocks bandwagon are to recognize organized disinformation campaigns.
Meme stocks: Data providers conflicted on offering investment analyses
While some alternative data providers are jumping in on the meme-stock craze by producing new datasets and analyses geared toward risk management and alpha generation, others—perhaps rightly so—are staying cautious.
Vendors add surveillance support for WhatsApp alternatives
Concerns about data leakage have driven some users to rival privacy-focused messaging apps like Telegram and Signal, as WhatsApp policy changes come into force on May 15.
Waters Wrap: The nature of data and information (And Ion-List thoughts)
Anthony takes a look at the alternative data industry post-GameStop, and wonders about Ion Group’s strategy going forward after recent acquisitions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Goldman taps alt data for economic forecasts during pandemic
Economists at the bank leveraged a combination of public and third-party data to make conclusions about the future during uncertain times.
Asia at the Forefront of Innovation—A Look at Tech Projects in the Region
WatersTechnology looks at some of the major projects coming out of Asia that are leading the way for firms around the globe.
Citi Readies Price-Shock Detection System
Once the bot is in production, the D10X team will start scaling it beyond the oil trading team to other trading desks.
Vaccine Tracking Data—The Next Big Alt Dataset
Investment firms and vendors are searching for signals in healthcare and pharmaceutical data in a bid to get a leg up on a Covid-19 vaccine.
Firms Hone Use of New Alt Datasets to Pick Covid-19’s Winners
Investment managers are starting to use alternative data to assess the pandemic’s effect on individual stocks.
CryptoCompare Eyes Asia Cryptocurrency Indexes
The cryptocurrency data provider and index operator plans to exploit demand for digital currency trading in APAC by launching index products in the region.
Start-up Fund Manager Hunts for ‘Joy’ During Pandemic
Infusive Asset Management is blending traditional and alternative datasets to find companies and services that bring “joy” to consumers.
Former HSBC Transformation Head: Weathering the Crisis as a Start-Up
This is a difficult time for most businesses, but start-ups are particularly vulnerable as they struggle to manage cash flow.