ExtractAlpha Relaunches AlphaClub Research Workspace with Expanded Signal Coverage

ExtractAlpha has relaunched AlphaClub, its research workspace for investment professionals evaluating the firm’s quantitative stock selection signals and alternative datasets. The update introduces a redesigned interface, broader international coverage, and a workflow-oriented structure aimed at making signal discovery and evaluation more efficient.

The platform is positioned as an environment where hedge fund analysts, portfolio managers, quant teams, and research professionals can explore ExtractAlpha’s offerings, examine how individual signals are constructed, and assess where they might fit within an existing investment process. Updates include faster navigation, cleaner layouts, longer signal histories, and expanded global context across the firm’s datasets.

“AlphaClub is not a data terminal,” says Vinesh Jha, CEO at ExtractAlpha. “It’s a practical research workspace that helps investors understand what our signals are, how they behave, and where they may add value.” This framing is a notable positioning point in a market where evaluation tooling for alternative data signals has tended to lag the sophistication of the signals themselves.

AlphaClub is available via free membership for qualified investment professionals.

73 Strings Unifies Data Operating System for Private Markets Participants

Private markets valuation and portfolio intelligence platform 73 Strings has launched a unified global operating model, which the company said “brings together the platform, people, and clients into one ecosystem”.

This transition aligns global teams to support clients across private equity, private credit, venture capital and infrastructure, it said.

“Private markets are entering a new era, defined by data, AI and the need to operate at scale,” said Yann Magnan, chief executive and co-founder of 73 Strings. “Our global operating model… allows us to innovate faster and help our clients stay ahead, while maintaining the rigour and trust that underpin investment decisions.”

The firm has appointed Jazmin Hogan as global head of client operations to lead the client organisation from New York. Hogan previously held leadership roles at Apollo Global Management, Blackstone and Kohlberg & Company.

73 Strings’ integrated platform combines valuation, portfolio monitoring and data extraction to replace fragmented spreadsheet-based processes.

SGX FX and Rand Merchant Bank Partner to Enhance African Currency Liquidity

SGX FX and Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) have launched a strategic partnership to improve global access to African currency markets. By integrating RMB’s liquidity engine into SGX FX’s global infrastructure, the collaboration aims to meet the rising international demand for electronic trading in emerging markets. This move strengthens SGX FX’s presence across the continent and provides a more robust bridge between regional African markets and the global financial community.

The integration allows international market participants to access streamlined pricing and execution for a broad range of African currencies. These services are available on both a deliverable and non-deliverable basis, catering to the specific needs of the buy-side. By combining RMB’s local expertise and longstanding FX experience with SGX FX’s extensive global network, the partnership seeks to foster deeper liquidity and more efficient market access.

This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to developing Africa’s evolving FX landscape. By reducing barriers to entry and enhancing distribution, the two institutions aim to encourage stronger participation from global investors. The partnership marks a significant step in the digitisation of African currency trading, ensuring that market participants can execute transactions with greater transparency and speed within a regulated framework.

BMLL Integrates SpiderRock Options Analytics into Data Lab Environment

BMLL has expanded its cross-asset research capabilities by making SpiderRock’s Options Print Set data available through the BMLL Data Lab. This integration allows institutional clients to analyse the relationship between options markets and underlying cash equity behaviour within a single, unified framework. By combining SpiderRock’s print-level analytics with BMLL’s historical data, users can better evaluate how dealer positioning and hedging flows influence intraday price formation.

The partnership provides access to SpiderRock’s implied volatility and Greeks data alongside BMLL’s existing datasets for equities, futures, and options. This data suite is designed to support quantitative research and strategy development, offering insights into how options hedging affects spot liquidity and market microstructure. The collaboration aims to help market participants understand the dependencies between different asset classes to improve trading and market intelligence.

The addition of SpiderRock data aligns with BMLL’s broader strategy of consolidating high-value partner datasets with its own historical analytics. This move is intended to streamline the research process for clients, enabling them to gain a more comprehensive view of market interdependencies and risk.

Trading Technologies Partners with NZX to Provide Native Connectivity for New Index Futures

Trading Technologies International, Inc. (TT) has entered into a partnership with NZX, New Zealand’s primary exchange operator, to provide native connectivity for the launch of S&P/NZX 20 Index Futures. This collaboration allows market participants to access NZX’s equity, debt, funds, derivatives, and energy markets directly through the TT platform. By leveraging TT’s global distribution network and low-latency infrastructure, traders can integrate New Zealand’s market activity with their broader global strategies.

Users trading through the TT platform will gain access to a suite of professional execution tools, including automated trading functionality, execution algorithms, and the Autospreader® tool. The integration also includes comprehensive charting, analytics, and API support. This technical expansion is designed to streamline market entry for international firms seeking exposure to New Zealand’s benchmarks.

The move follows significant growth for TT within the Asia-Pacific region. In 2025, trading volumes on the platform’s APAC markets rose by more than 16%, while the total volume traded by its regional users increased by 25%. This partnership aims to capitalise on that momentum by providing sophisticated trade execution capabilities to a growing base of institutional participants.

Take Profit Trader Deploys Eventus Validus for Global Trade Surveillance

Take Profit Trader (TPT), the futures proprietary trading firm, has implemented the Eventus Validus platform to manage trade surveillance across its global operations. The deployment aims to ensure that TPT’s community of over 90,000 active traders remains compliant with rigorous exchange and regulatory requirements. By integrating this institutional-grade technology, the firm strengthens its oversight of market activity and risk management.

The Validus platform has been integrated across TPT’s entire trading ecosystem. This coverage spans every phase of the trader lifecycle, including initial evaluations, funded accounts, and live-market execution. TPT selected Eventus based on the provider’s established reputation for accuracy and its extensive track record of serving major financial institutions and exchanges.

The transition to Validus provides TPT with high-accuracy monitoring tools designed to detect and prevent market abuse. This partnership reflects a commitment to maintaining transparent trading standards as the firm scales its backing of futures traders. By utilising a solution trusted by global regulators, Take Profit Trader ensures its internal compliance framework aligns with the highest industry benchmarks.

FIS Enhances Cross-Asset Trading and Risk Suite to Level Playing Field for Smaller Firms

FIS has announced significant strategic advancements to its Cross-Asset Trading and Risk Suite, aimed at streamlining operations for investment firms of all sizes. The updated platform integrates order, portfolio, position, and risk management into a single, flexible system. By replacing disconnected legacy systems and manual processes, the suite allows smaller firms to access sophisticated trading tools and cross-asset strategies that were previously the exclusive domain of major global players, according to the company.

The enhancement introduces new SaaS capabilities tailored for alternative investments and expanded support for both public and private market strategies on the buy side. To improve operational efficiency, FIS has implemented digitised dashboards and AI-driven tools designed to optimise the user experience. According to Matt Stauffer, Head of Trading and Asset Services at FIS, these updates are intended to eliminate the barriers created by complex markets and fragmented technology, enabling firms to deploy capital more effectively.

SimCorp Launches Agent Launchpad to Orchestrate AI Ecosystem

SimCorp has unveiled Agent Launchpad, a new agentic AI ecosystem integrated into its SimCorp One platform. Announced at the SimCorp Global Summit in Copenhagen, the tool allows investment managers to deploy and manage AI agents from SimCorp, curated partners, and internal builds. The system is designed to automate complex operational workflows, including portfolio management, risk analysis, and corporate actions, by enabling multiple specialised agents to collaborate within a unified governance framework.

The ecosystem emphasises security and transparency, providing a structured audit trail for every agent interaction to ensure data integrity and human accountability. Fintech firm Orbit has been named the first ecosystem partner, contributing an agent that provides AI-driven research on market fundamentals and regulatory information. To assist with initial adoption, SimCorp is introducing a dedicated prompt library, with the first clients expected to gain access to the Launchpad later this year.

Horizon Trading Solutions Launches FixConnect to Streamline FIX Connectivity

Horizon Trading Solutions has launched Horizon FixConnect, a new connectivity tool developed to accelerate the onboarding of clients and brokers. Built on the high-performance Aeron data infrastructure, the solution enables users to configure FIX connections via a self-service interface within the Horizon Trader Workspace. This integration removes traditional dependencies on IT and operations teams, allowing for more agile management of trading infrastructure.

The platform significantly reduces onboarding timelines from several days to near real-time deployment, according to the company. By eliminating the requirement for system restarts during configuration, FixConnect reduces operational overhead and allows trading desks to adapt instantly to market opportunities. This ensures that institutional and retail brokers can maintain stability while responding to evolving trading requirements.

FixConnect supports 24/7 operations by allowing connectivity adjustments without service disruption. The launch reinforces Horizon’s modular platform strategy, providing a unified environment where clients can manage connectivity, execution, and algorithmic trading seamlessly.

Trading Technologies and Mercantile Exchange of Vietnam Announce Global Connectivity Agreement

Trading Technologies International (TT) and the Mercantile Exchange of Vietnam (MXV) have signed an agreement to enhance MXV’s exchange connectivity services. Under the new collaboration, the global capital markets technology provider will supply the infrastructure necessary for MXV’s trading members and clients to access a wider range of international derivatives markets.

The partnership integrates TT’s high-performance network with MXV’s existing systems, providing streamlined access to major global exchanges including the CME Group, London Metal Exchange (LME), Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), and Singapore Exchange (SGX). This initiative aims to improve trading efficiency and bolster the accessibility of international markets for the Vietnamese trading community.

Beyond technical infrastructure, the agreement marks TT’s first local client in Vietnam as part of a strategic Asian expansion. Both organisations have indicated that the partnership may extend into further areas, including market education, capacity building, and training initiatives designed to support the ongoing development of Vietnam’s commodity derivatives market.