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Buy-Side Firms Seek FX and Listed Derivatives EMS Consolidation for Real-Time Risk View

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Demand is growing among buy-side market participants to consolidate foreign exchange (FX) execution management systems (EMS) with listed derivatives workflows. According to a survey by Acuiti on behalf of Trading Technologies, conducted across 65 hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, and asset managers, achieving a unified, real-time view of risk is the primary motivation for integrating these platforms.

Historically, FX execution has operated on distinct infrastructure due to the fragmented nature of over-the-counter liquidity. Consequently, 69% of surveyed firms currently run separate management systems for FX and listed derivatives. However, rising operational complexity and cross-asset desk management are driving appetite for unified workflows. Participants prioritised non-cost advantages, with 69% targeting real-time risk visibility, 52% seeking enhanced execution quality, and 46% desiring expanded algorithmic capabilities.

Despite the clear benefits of combining position views and order routing, adoption is tempered by operational concerns. Migration risk remains the single largest barrier, cited by nearly half of respondents as the main reason for delaying system consolidation.

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