A-Team Insight Brief
Fitch’s BMI Unveils Country-level ESG Data and Metrics
Fitch Solutions’ BMI has begun offering its investor clients country-level ESG data, scores, insights and forecasts covering 140 markets.
The ESG Country product also includes GeoQuant political risk scores alongside metrics on ESG impacts in trade, industry and politics as well as separate reports on emerging markets.
Baton Systems Integrates DTCC’s FICC and NSCC with Core-Collateral Network Ahead of SEC Mandate
Baton Systems has announced the integration of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation’s Fixed Income Clearing Corporation (FICC) and National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) with its Core-Collateral network. This development provides Baton’s clients with direct access to FICC as they prepare for the SEC’s U.S. Treasury clearing mandate, which will come into effect on 31 December 2026 for cash transactions and 30 June 2027 for repo transactions.
The integration allows clients to streamline collateral management for US Treasuries cleared through FICC, offering real-time balance updates, eligibility schedules, and efficient instruction of asset movements. Baton’s solution enhances access and control, supports collateral optimisation, and facilitates compliance with upcoming regulatory changes. The first client is now live, managing collateral at FICC through the Core-Collateral network.
Trading Technologies Launches TT Strategy Studio for Multi-Asset Algorithmic Trading
Trading Technologies International, Inc. (TT) has launched TT Strategy Studio, a multi-asset algorithmic trading platform aimed at institutional trading firms, including quantitative firms, hedge funds, and energy companies. Announced during TradeTech Europe 2025 in Paris, the solution is part of TT Quantitative Trading Solutions (QTS) and is designed to allow firms to build, test, and deploy automated trading strategies while maintaining control over their proprietary code.
TT Strategy Studio supports data integration from a wide range of market sources across equities, options, futures, and foreign exchange. It offers back-testing capabilities, real-time monitoring, and compliance tools, enabling users to simulate and evaluate strategies across different market conditions. The software is certified for use on 70 global marketplaces, ensuring regulatory compliance. TT QTS staff also use the platform to develop proprietary algorithms and assist clients in strategy development and validation.
Instinet Rebrands RFQ Venue to “BlockMatch Select” to Expand Liquidity Access
Instinet, the global agency-only broker, has rebranded its BlockMatch RFQ venue as “BlockMatch Select”, in response to growing buy-side demand for improved access to liquidity. This change marks a strategic update in Instinet’s multilateral trading facility (MTF), which will now comprise three trading books: BlockMatch Dark, BlockMatch Select, and BlockMatch NT.
BlockMatch Select aims to enhance bilateral liquidity optimisation and streamline trading workflows. It offers automated access to a broad range of market participants and liquidity sources. Key features include seamless integration via Instinet’s execution platform, a configurable modular workflow for tailored liquidity targeting, and a regulated, transparent environment for risk and liquidity management. This update reinforces Instinet’s role as a key liquidity aggregator in electronic trading.
Options Technology Relaunches Integrated Desktop as AtlasWorkplace for Buy-Side IT Solutions
Options Technology has announced the relaunch of its Integrated Desktop product under a new brand, AtlasWorkplace, aimed at serving Hedge Funds, Private Equity firms, Asset Managers, and other financial services organisations. AtlasWorkplace is designed to provide a secure, scalable IT infrastructure that meets the unique operational needs of buy-side firms.
The platform combines managed services with personalised support, offering a complete Office and Desktop technology suite that includes Microsoft 365 integration and centralised identity management. It supports remote working, cloud and server environments (private, public, and hybrid), and includes 24/7 security monitoring and compliance support. Additionally, AtlasWorkplace incorporates AI capabilities, such as hosted large language models, Microsoft Copilot, and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) tools, along with strategic services like Virtual CTO/CISO roles and cloud migrations.
Wealthsimple Adopts Eventus’ Validus Platform for Trade Surveillance
Wealthsimple, one of Canada’s fastest growing financial platforms, has deployed the Validus platform from Eventus, the trade surveillance and financial risk solutions provider, to conduct trade surveillance across asset classes. Wealthsimple manages over $50 billion in assets and serves more than three million clients, spanning trading, saving, and investing services.
The firm continues to expand its global footprint, recently securing trade surveillance, algorithmic monitoring and market risk mandates from a broad spectrum of market participants across the Americas, EMEA and APAC regions. Eventus also plans to roll out a suite of enhancements to Validus in 2025, including a new AI-driven initiative built on large language model (LLM) technology.
Kafi Securities Goes Live on Horizon Trading Platform to Drive Market Expansion in Vietnam
Horizon Trading Solutions, the electronic trading solutions and algorithmic technology provider, has announced that Kafi Securities Corporation, a financial services company based in Vietnam, has gone live on its trading platform. The deployment supports Kafi’s strategic goal of expanding into market making and advanced trading across the Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi Stock Exchanges.
Horizon’s platform, deployed on-premise and integrated with Kafi’s internal systems, provides Kafi with real-time access to Vietnamese markets, supporting its trading operations with tools for quoting, execution, hedging, and risk monitoring. Starting with market making for Warrants, Kafi now plans to extend its activity to ETF market making.
SimCorp Launches Next-Gen Axioma Equity Factor Risk Model with Enhanced Market Volatility Detection
SimCorp, the investment management solutions vendor, has unveiled a new version of its Axioma Worldwide Equity Factor Risk Model, aiming to help portfolio and risk managers better manage market volatility. The updated model integrates proprietary research and academic insights to improve risk identification, offering faster detection of market shifts and stock group rotations. A notable addition is the Non-linear Residual Factor, which uses machine learning to uncover complex factor interactions, enhancing understanding of residual risk.
The model supports a range of portfolio strategies, such as improving Momentum portfolios, enhancing Minimum Variance strategies, and mitigating risks in Value portfolios through sentiment integration. It includes both fundamental and statistical models across various time horizons, accessible via the Axioma Risk platform or as a flat file. This flexibility supports integration into portfolio construction and risk management workflows, helping managers adapt to changing market conditions.
ISS STOXX ESG Data Integrated by DekaBank
DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale (Deka) has incorporated ISS STOXX’s ESG data into its systems for use by the German organisation’s asset management, fund administration and treasury management divisions.
Deka is the central asset manager of the German Savings Bank and will utilise IS STOXX’s climate data, corporate and country ratings, SDG scores and regulatory solutions, including its Taxonomy and SFDR/PAI data.
SimCorp Updates Axioma Model to Tackle Increased Market Gyrations
SimCorp has sought to better prepare clients for increased market volatility with an update to its Axioma Worldwide Equity Factor Risk Model, which is designed to help managers identify risks in their portfolios.
Among its improvements is the introduction of a Non-Linear Residual Factor, which uses machine learning to identify hidden factor correlations that can’t be detected by standard, linear models.