Fintech Lab launches insurtech accelerator in Moscow
Nine start-ups primed for action.
Moscow
Russia’s NSD revamps reference data amid transparency drive
Russia’s NSD central securities depository has launched a joint project with Interfax information agency to coordinate their efforts for the development of a system of assessing the fair value of financial instruments. The move is part of an ongoing government reform agenda designed to turn Moscow into an international financial centre.
Moscow market reforms battle capital flight
Despite tensions between Russia and NATO over the situation in east Ukraine, the underlying internationalisation and reform agenda in Moscow has not changed, according to Russian broker BCS.
Russian Central Bank moves to restore trust as Swift rejects EU exclusion request
Russia’s Central Bank has revoked the licences of three banks as part of an effort to restore trust in the country’s banking system. The move comes as financial messaging network Swift stands defiant against a European Parliament resolution calling for the expulsion of Russia from the community.
Russian DMA service targets investment banks
As Russia’s revitalised Moscow Exchange begins to command increased attention from global investment banks and hedge funds, a new direct market access service says it can unlock trading features that may not previously have been available to many international investors.
Citi extends securities lending platform to Russia
Citi has begun lending services in Russian securities through its OpenLend platform, which the bank says will help investors to diversify into promising emerging markets.
Russia 2.0 – major overhaul will attract international investors
As Moscow modernises its corporate governance, legal institutions and financial infrastructure, new possibilities are opening up to foreign investors, says Tim Bevan, executive board member at BCS.
Russian bonds make debut at Euroclear Bank
Russia’s securities markets have taken another step forward with the decision by Euroclear Bank to launch post-trade services for Russian corporate and municipal bonds on 30 January, via its relationship with Russia’s newly established CSD the National Settlement Depository.
TCS Bank readies Russian mobile wallet for Christmas
Russian bank Tinkoff Credit Systems has become the latest financial institution to launch a mobile wallet service, which is due to go live on 1 December 2013. The new wallet will target Russia and will be available on both Android and Apple iOS devices.
Moscow Exchange debuts cleared OTC derivatives market
Moscow Exchange has opened its new cleared OTC derivatives market, marking a major step towards Russia’s G20 commitments. But some observers still have doubts about Russia’s reputation as an investment destination.
Competition for Russia heats up as TMX boosts Moscow link
Trading infrastructure provider TMX Atrium has released a set of options for trading Russia through its connection to Frankfurt’s Equinix FR2 IBX data centre and the Moscow Exchange – a move designed to shepherd customers as rival providers stake out their own claims to the Russian market.
BCS opens low-latency London to Moscow link
Russia’s BCS Prime Brokerage has launched an ultra-low latency data line between London and Moscow which it claims is the fastest trading connection yet built between the two cities.
T+2: Moscow’s “biggest move in 20 years”
As the Moscow Exchange launches a new liquidity incentive promotion, Sergey Sinkevich, head of DMA at Russian broker Otkritie, argues that Russia’s move to adopt T+2 settlement is the most important development in the last 20 years for the country’s capital markets.
Otkritie and SunGard release Russian algo trading tools
Russian broker Otkritie has chosen financial technology company SunGard to help launch a new direct market access service that should make it easier for investors to access Russia’s capital markets.
Moscow Exchange adopts T+2 settlement
Russia’s Moscow Exchange has begun its migration to T+2 settlement, marking a significant milestone in the exchange’s efforts to attract international investors.
Battle of the bonds begins as Clearstream targets Russian OFZs
German clearing and settlement business Clearstream has opened a new link to Russia’s CSD, the National Settlement Depository, that should allow customers based in the west to trade and settle Russian OFZ treasury bonds more easily.
RenCap and Gatelab support Moscow to London cross-margining
Russian broker Renaissance Capital has built a cross-margining tool for the Moscow FX and derivatives markets Micex Selt and Forts, and the London Stock Exchange’s international order book.
Russia’s Alfa Capital boosts front-office tech
Russian asset manager Alfa Capital has implemented SDX, SuperDerivatives real-time cross-asset front office system, for its structured products business.
Euroclear Bank opens up Russian bond market
Euroclear Bank has begun clearing and settlement for Russian ruble-denominated OFZ government bonds – a market worth US$100 billion, according to figures provided by Baring Asset Management.
NSD builds business intelligence as Moscow goes for gold
Russia’s central securities depository NSD is to get a complete business intelligence overhaul through a joint project with consultancy Optima Group. The deal should help bolster NSD as one of the key pieces in the government’s strategy to turn Moscow into an international financial centre.
Moscow reforms will “fundamentally change” Russian markets
The upcoming IPO of Russia’s Moscow Exchange on its own bourse is just one step in a titanic effort to transform Russia’s capital markets and attract attention from international investors – and it may not be the most important one, according to Serge Alexandre, electronic trading services at Russian broker Otkritie.
Moscow draws closer as TMX Atrium opens new trading link
Investors looking to trade in Russia can now take advantage of a new high-speed route from Frankfurt to Moscow, built by technology and connectivity provider TMX Atrium. The idea behind the new link is to provide access for clients that need low-latency access to the Russian market, which currently represents the world’s sixth largest economy, […]
