THE WORLD FEDERATION OF EXCHANGES AGREES 2020 PRIORITIES

Hamilton, Bermuda: 03 February 2020 — In a press release today The World Federation of Exchanges issued a statement about 2020 business priorities.The release stated:

PRESS RELEASE

THE WORLD FEDERATION OF EXCHANGES AGREES 2020 PRIORITIES

London, Monday 3 February 2020 – The World Federation of Exchanges (“WFE”), the global industry group for exchanges and CCPs, has agreed its 2020 business priorities will focus on the following areas: the value of the exchange role in creating data; CCPs and their role in systemic safety; Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) issues; and building appropriate market structure around technology-led trends.

These priorities will be supported by ongoing work on market infrastructures’ role in the real economy; market fragmentation; and analysing, quantifying and describing the changes in market structure. In 2020, the WFE will continue to focus on its research output being a leading and authoritative reference point for, and voice on, market structure. The federation will continue to develop industry codes of conduct, standards, best practice, guiding principles and guidance, along with benchmarking work.

In January the WFE's 18-member Board and 69-member Working Committee held their first meetings of 2020 in London, hosted by Nasdaq, to discuss and agree the WFE’s workplan and 2020 strategic projects, in the 60^th year of the Federation’s work.

Nandini Sukumar, Chief Executive Officer, WFE said: “Our 2020 business priorities give a clear indication of the direction of travel for the global market infrastructure industry. It has never been more important to communicate the vital societal and economic value of exchanges and CCPs, and the fairness, stability and transparency that market infrastructures bring to regulated markets.  As the WFE enters its 60^th anniversary year, we are reminded that the work our members do to safeguard public markets is as important today as it has ever been.”

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About the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE):

Established in 1961, the WFE is the global industry association for exchanges and clearing houses. Headquartered in London, it represents over 250 market infrastructure providers, including standalone CCPs that are not part of exchange groups. Of our members, 37% are in Asia-Pacific, 43% in EMEA and 20% in the Americas. WFE’s 57 member CCPs collectively ensure that risk takers post some $800bn (equivalent) of resources to back their positions, in the form of initial margin and default fund requirements. WFE exchanges, meanwhile, are home to nearly 48,000 listed companies, and the market capitalisation of these entities is over $70.2 trillion; around $95 trillion (EOB) in trading annually passes through the infrastructures WFE members safeguard (at end 2018).

The WFE is the definitive source for exchange-traded statistics, and publishes over 350 market data indicators.  Its free statistics database stretches back more than 40 years, and provides information and insight into developments on global exchanges. The WFE works with standard-setters, policy makers, regulators and government organisations around the world to support and promote the development of fair, transparent, stable and efficient markets. The WFE shares regulatory authorities’ goals of ensuring the safety and soundness of the global financial system.  

With extensive experience of developing and enforcing high standards of conduct, the WFE and its members support an orderly, secure, fair and transparent environment for investors; for companies that raise capital; and for all who deal with financial risk. We seek outcomes that maximise the common good, consumer confidence and economic growth. And we engage with policy makers and regulators in an open, collaborative way, reflecting the central, public role that exchanges and CCPs play in a globally integrated financial system.

For more information, please contact:

Anna Watson

Head of Communications, The World Federation of Exchanges 

Email:    awatson@world-exchanges.org

Phone:   +44 20 7151 4137 / 7850 287 685

Twitter:   @TheWFE