TradingTech Insight Brief
Standard Chartered Launches Institutional Crypto Trading Platform with Spot Bitcoin and Ether Services
Standard Chartered has introduced a fully integrated digital assets trading service for institutional clients, marking a significant step in its digital finance offerings. Following the earlier launch of its custody service, the bank now offers spot trading for Bitcoin (XBT/USD) and Ether (XET/USD) via its UK branch, with non-deliverable forwards (NDFs) trading to be added soon. This makes it the first globally systemically important bank to provide deliverable spot cryptoasset trading to institutional investors, corporates, and asset managers.
The service is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing FX platforms, enabling clients to trade digital assets through familiar systems while choosing their preferred custody solution, including Standard Chartered’s own. As a UK FCA-registered cryptoasset service provider, the bank offers clients the reliability of a regulated institution with strong risk controls and a robust financial base. This launch expands Standard Chartered’s digital asset capabilities across trading, custody, and tokenisation.
SDX and Banque Pictet Complete Pilot Tokenising Corporate Bonds for Asset Management Portfolios
SDX, part of SIX, and Banque Pictet & Cie SA have completed a joint pilot project that successfully tokenised corporate debt instruments and allocated fractional amounts to portfolios managed by Pictet Asset Management SA. The initiative focused on EUR- and CHF-denominated corporate bonds, which were held in custody at SIX SIS and tokenised on the SDX platform. These tokenised bonds were then distributed in fractional units to investor portfolios, allowing for greater customisation and operational efficiency than traditional methods.
The pilot demonstrates the practical benefits of digital securities in mutual fund management, such as automated rebalancing, smaller investment sizes, and enhanced diversification. By enabling tailored strategies and broader access to asset classes like corporate bonds, the collaboration highlights the potential of tokenisation to transform the asset management industry through scalable, flexible digital infrastructure.
TNS Adds Bruce ATS Market Data Connectivity to Enhance 24×5 US Equities Trading Access
Transaction Network Services (TNS) has expanded its 24×5 US equities trading capabilities by adding market data connectivity to Bruce ATS, the overnight trading venue operated by Bruce Markets LLC. Through its secure, low-latency infrastructure, TNS now delivers Bruce ATS market data globally, supporting firms trading US equities during Asian market hours and reinforcing its commitment to global market access.
The move enhances TNS’ overnight trading offerings, which already include connectivity to venues like Blue Ocean ATS. Bruce ATS uses Nasdaq’s market technology and is actively growing its reach by partnering with firms like TNS that have established retail broker relationships. TNS’ global backbone and 24x7x365 support model provide trading firms with the reliable access and infrastructure required for continuous trading outside traditional US exchange hours.
Bloomberg and Clearwater Partner to Launch Integrated Front-to-Back Investment Solution
Bloomberg and Clearwater Analytics have announced a strategic collaboration to introduce a modular front-to-back investment solution tailored for asset managers and asset owners. This partnership aims to deliver a comprehensive operating model that enhances scalability, efficiency, and risk management across the investment lifecycle.
The integrated solution combines Bloomberg’s enterprise capabilities – including order and portfolio management, performance analytics, and OTC tools – with Clearwater’s platform for accounting, data aggregation, and reporting. Key features include turnkey managed integration, enhanced OTC management, synchronised cash management, and consistent trade data exchange, promising clients a seamless and transparent investment management experience.
YZi Labs Invests in Digital Asset to Advance Institutional Blockchain Adoption
YZi Labs has participated in Digital Asset’s $135 million Series E funding round, joining established financial institutions such as Goldman Sachs, Citadel Securities, and DTCC. The investment supports Digital Asset’s development of enterprise-grade tools for regulated markets and underlines YZi Labs’ commitment to enhancing infrastructure for institutional blockchain adoption, particularly in mature markets like the U.S.
Digital Asset is the developer of the Canton Network, a public Layer 1 blockchain designed with configurable on-chain privacy. As of June 2025, Canton supports tokenised real-world assets with a TVL in the trillions, including over $1.5 trillion in monthly U.S. Treasury repo activity. The network includes nearly 400 participants and addresses key barriers to blockchain use by regulated financial institutions. The funding will aid in expanding Canton’s infrastructure, accelerating onboarding, and enabling broader interoperability across global markets.
Blue Ocean Technologies Selects Eventus’ Validus Platform for Trade Surveillance
Blue Ocean Technologies has chosen Eventus’ Validus platform as the trade surveillance solution for its Blue Ocean ATS, the first after-hours equities trading venue. This strategic move is aimed at enhancing Blue Ocean’s surveillance capabilities, supporting its mission to offer a secure and efficient 24-hour trading environment. The platform will help the company improve monitoring of trading activity through a centralised, flexible, and scalable system.
Validus was selected for its ability to handle high volumes of data and deliver actionable insights. Its comprehensive features are expected to strengthen Blue Ocean’s reporting, operational oversight, and long-term decision-making. This partnership underscores both companies’ focus on maintaining strong risk management and surveillance standards in global trading.
CME Group to Launch FX Tape+ for Enhanced Transparency in FX Markets
CME Group has announced plans to launch CME FX Tape+ later this year, aiming to deliver centralised reference prices and a broad view of FX market liquidity. The service will consolidate data from CME’s central limit order book (CLOB) platforms, including FX futures, EBS Market, FX Spot+, and FX Link. Drawing on a network of 1,400 institutions and over 100,000 FX market participants, the initiative is designed to address fragmentation in the FX market and improve pricing transparency.
CME FX Tape+ will provide real-time reference prices derived from firm, actionable liquidity rather than indicative or curated sources. Covering 10 major currencies at launch, the system will feature a composite mid-price calculated from trades, quotes, and mid-rates across CME’s platforms. Data will be available at 250-millisecond intervals via a websocket API and historical files, enabling market participants to better benchmark trading strategies and assess execution costs.
Railbird Exchange Selects Connamara’s EP3 Platform for Newly Approved U.S. Prediction Market
Connamara Technologies has announced that Railbird Exchange will deploy its EP3 exchange platform to power Railbird’s regulated prediction market in the United States. Railbird, founded in 2021, enables users to trade on real-world event outcomes, spanning economic, entertainment, and cultural themes. The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) granted Railbird Designated Contract Market (DCM) status on 13 June 2025, with its launch scheduled for later this year.
The EP3 platform offers Railbird a high-performance, modular system designed to meet the operational demands of regulated marketplaces. It includes features such as order matching, risk management, and market surveillance. For Connamara, Railbird’s selection reinforces EP3’s growing adoption among emerging and regulated markets, highlighting its ability to accelerate market entry and reduce operational costs.
BPX Gains FCA Authorisation for MTF, AIFM, and Crypto Services; Advances Toward Live Operations
BPX has received regulatory authorisation from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to operate as a Multilateral Trading Facility (MTF), Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM), Cryptoasset Exchange, and Custodian Wallet Provider. These approvals support BPX’s plan to build an institutional-grade, fully integrated marketplace for the full lifecycle of securities – including issuance, trading, and collateralised lending – covering both traditional and tokenised assets.
The company has also become the only FCA-authorised trading venue to pass Gate 1 of the Bank of England and FCA’s Digital Securities Sandbox (DSS). With regulatory permissions secured, BPX is now preparing for live operations and is engaging institutional participants ahead of its inaugural transaction. Its distributed ledger-based platform aims to enhance access and liquidity for issuers and investors by enabling scalable tokenisation and broadening capital market opportunities.
Nasdaq Integrates Blockchain Capabilities into Calypso Platform for Enhanced Collateral Management
Nasdaq has announced the integration of blockchain-based workflows into its Calypso platform via the Canton Network, in partnership with QCP, Primrose Capital Management, and Digital Asset. This initiative demonstrates how on-chain technology can enhance collateral mobility and management across all asset classes for institutional clients. The integration aims to support real-time, automated 24/7 margin and collateral operations, covering crypto derivatives, fixed income, and both exchange-traded and over-the-counter derivatives.
This development marks a step forward in Nasdaq’s drive to modernise financial infrastructure by enabling more efficient capital allocation and redeployment of collateral across markets. It aligns with Nasdaq’s broader strategy to expand its digital asset capabilities and support institutional adoption of blockchain technologies. Calypso’s expanded functionality now bridges traditional finance with digital markets, positioning Nasdaq to meet the growing demand for capital efficiency in an always-on global financial system.