Waters/Feature
Firms Carve Rosetta Stones for Non-English AI Surveillance
Development of machine learning and natural-language processing is now turning to languages other than English to keep a better eye on traders and the market. But how easy is it to teach a machine a new tongue?
Crowded Alt Data Market Makes Standing Out Difficult for Providers
As alternative data companies battle for capital and a coveted spot in investment managers’ portfolio strategies, they are turning to bespoke marketing and partnerships to stand out in an industry where firms still struggle with data science resources.
CAT’s Tale: How Thesys, the SROs and the SEC Mishandled the Consolidated Audit Trail
WatersTechnology investigates the torturous journey to create a stock-trading database for the US, and where the project goes from here.
Crypto Markets Turn Traditional for Tools of the Trade
As interest in cryptocurrency trading refuses to wither, despite a bearish year, traders are increasingly calling for institutional-grade tooling from traditional markets to further develop the asset class.
The Problem Solver: Paul Bari, Nordea
Paul Bari’s career has taken him across oceans and continents, but his true north has always been a fascination with mathematics. Now, he’s tackling not only the future of one of Northern Europe’s largest banks, but its employees, too
5G Networks: Information Overload
Despite what some wireless carriers say, we’re still a few years away from a mass rollout of true 5G networks. While they will be revolutionary, right now it’s more hype than reality. WatersTechnology tries to look ahead to see how capital markets firms…
Rebel Math: Robert and Richard Michaud, New Frontier Advisors
For over 50 years, modern asset management has been guided by the Capital Asset Pricing Model and the theories of Harry Markowitz. Yet, a father-and-son team in Boston says it’s wrong—and they can prove it.
Firms Tap AI to Leverage Trade Reconstruction for Surveillance
A lack of data has historically been an obstacle to applying machine learning for regulator-mandated trade reconstruction initiatives, but the recent, explosive growth of digital information could change that—while making trade reconstruction more…
Concerns Mount as Trade Repositories Face Brexit Split
Months away from the UK’s departure from the EU, much of the industry is still in the dark over operational requirements post-Brexit, and time is running out.
Challenging US Exchanges Will be Uphill Battle for MEMX, Experts Warn
An industry initiative to start a new US exchange promises much, but it may struggle to deliver without a clearer purpose.
Lingering Questions Remain over Mifid II
Nearly one year on from the fundamental changes to Europe’s trading rulebook brought about by Mifid II, its overall impact is still unclear. Although experts talk of greater transparency in the markets, it’s had its share of issues, some of which are…
Tokenization: The Flip Side of the Coin
Turning traditional assets into digitally traded data is one of the most commonly cited benefits of emerging technology, including distributed ledgers. But the reality is that the process is far more difficult than it seems.
Deep Learning: The Evolution is Here
Advancements in AI have led to new ways for firms to generate alpha and better serve clients. The next great evolution in the space could come in the form of deep learning. WatersTechnology speaks with data scientists at banks, asset managers and vendors…
Coding in the Trenches: Bjarne Stroustrup, Morgan Stanley
He found fame as the mind behind C++, one of the most popular programming languages ever created. But today, Bjarne Stroustrup is a managing director at Morgan Stanley where he works to create more efficient and secure technology infrastructures.
The Day the Data Stood Still
With the UK preparing to leave the EU in March, regulators have a limited amount of time to figure out how to keep the flow of information going between each other post-Brexit—and the window is closing.
Custody Seen as Crypto's Next Major Battleground
Although institutional interest in cryptocurrency trading has grown, the development of the custody space, in particular, is crucial for its next phase of evolution.
STP: Shedding the Leftover Inefficiencies
The age-old problem of achieving straight through processing remains a challenge for some buy-side firms today. But time is running out.
Emerging Markets Exchanges Embrace New Tech
While economic measures might place markets in Kenya, Tanzania, Palestine and elsewhere firmly in the “emerging” bracket, their use of technology is anything but.
Banks and Bank Robbers Embark on AI Arms Race
As cyber attacks become more frequent and costly, banks are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to protect their networks—but so are the criminals.
In Praise of Perseverance: Laura Barrowman, Credit Suisse
Waters speaks with Credit Suisse's technology chief about her career, and how the Swiss bank is grappling with innovation in an era of emerging technologies.
The New Oil Rush: An Examination of the Alternative Data Market
Banks are looking to cash in on the alternative data boom, but an in-depth investigation of the alternative data market shows that they may be in for an uphill battle to claim territory.
Left Behind: Buy-Side Firms Face Age-Old Question on AI
When it comes to artificial intelligence, first-mover advantage is clear. But for buy-side firms that do not have the resources of global giants and are finding they are increasingly unable to compete, it becomes a tough question—do you trust third-party…
Mind Your Language: Surveillance Systems Tackle Conduct Risk
While advanced voice analytics technologies have been around for years, banks have often used them as a blunt instrument, or a regulatory checkbox. Now they are increasingly seeing them as useful tools for managing conduct risk and employee protection…
The Fast and the Curious: The Latency Barrier for Institutional Crypto Traders
Institutional investors want to enter the crypto space but the lack of infrastructure around guaranteed latency and access to real-time market data is hindering a wider entry into the field. By Emilia David