CFTC to Investigate EFS trades in Energy and Metal Markets

The Commodity Futures Trading Commision (CFTC) is investigating a large number of trades in energy and metal markets to determine whether traders illegally used over-the-counter swaps markets to trade futures. According to Reuters, the CFTC has asked the largest banks for data going back to 2010 as part of...

CFTC Considering Lower Price Quote Requirement for Dodd-Frank Swap Rule

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is reportedly contemplating lowering the number of price quotes a buyer is required to request before trading swaps. According to Bloomberg News, three people briefed on the matter, who requested anonymity because the rule is still under consideration,...

DTCC Sues CFTC over “Anti-Competitive Swap Trading Data Rules”

The Depository Trust & Clearing Corp. (DTCC) sued the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) on Friday claiming that the derivatives regulator made “anti-competitive rules,” regarding swap trading data, that favor two rival companies. The lawsuit filed by the DTCC, a financial services group...

SEC to Propose Cross-Border Rules for Security Swaps

U.S. regulators intend to submit a proposal next week that will outline how new rules governing over-the-counter derivatives will affect cross-border transactions. Reuters reports that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that it will vote on the plan Wednesday. In addition, the SEC is...

EU Swaps-Clearing Clash

European Union (EU) delegates are unable to settle a dispute between Germany and the U.K. regarding derivatives-clearing competition, requiring the discussion to begin again on draft legislation. Ireland, which holds the EU’s rotating presidency, is looking to find middle ground on the initiative,...

Swaps Clearing Deadline Nears

Swaps clearing deadline nears, as close to 250 to 300 U.S. investment managers are required to begin clearing swaps transactions by June 10th. According to Reuters, asset managers have been slow to create accounts with clearing houses for OTC derivatives, ahead of the mandatory deadline. This has led to an...

EU Transaction Tax Would Hurt Economies, Says ICAP

A proposed financial EU transaction tax would damage the region’s economies, says ICAP, one of the world’s largest inter-bank brokers. Reuters reports that the new rules would raise funding costs for governments and companies, and would necessitate financial activity to move outside of the tax...

Federal Reserve Adopts Final Rule for Nonbank Firms

The U.S. Federal Reserve has approved a final rule that will clarify the process that the new U.S. risk council will follow when designating nonbank financial firms. The new rule sets requirements for determining when a company is “predominantly engaged in financial activities,” which is part of...

CME Strives to Expand European Business Before New Exchange

The world’s largest futures exchange, CME Group Inc., is pushing to expand its European business as it begins a new London-based market, while IntercontinentalExchange Inc. advances their planned purchase of NYSE Euronext. CME, a Chicago based exchange, intends to open a new London exchange this year....

Oil Industry Avoids Swaps Rules

Oil industry companies have largely managed to avoid the scrutiny of derivatives trading and registration as swap dealers, according to Reuters. In January of this year, the CFTC required that companies register as dealers if they trade more than $8 billion in swaps a year. Reuters reports that currently, no...