The pan-European trading venue for securities, Spectrum Markets, has become the first company to join the Frankfurt-based Federal Association of Investment Firms (Bundesverband der Wertpapierfirmen, bwf) as a new member this year. Spectrum Markets, which is based in Frankfurt, operates an electronic trading platform across Europe.
Spectrum Markets Joins Leading German Investment Industry Association
Spectrum Markets stated that this membership reflects its commitment to better regulatory alignment, transparency, and investor protection in Germany's securities industry, the largest in Europe.
By joining bwf, Spectrum Markets aims to contribute its perspectives to discussions shaping the future of the investment industry, particularly around upcoming national and European regulatory and legislative projects related to financial services and capital markets.
"Joining forces with a leading association like bwf reflects our commitment to fostering better and more transparent practices, advocating for regulatory alignment, and prioritizing investor protection," said Nicky Maan, the CEO of Spectrum Markets.
The bwf represents and promotes the common professional interests of over 100 investment firms and institutions in Germany. Spectrum Markets is the first company to join the association in 2024. This latest membership builds on Spectrum Markets' existing involvement with other European industry groups, including the Italian Association of Financial Market Intermediaries, the German Structured Securities Association, and the Italian Association of Certificates and Investment Products.
Michael H. Sterzenbach, the Secretary General of bwf, welcomed Spectrum Markets: "Their innovative perspective and dedication to investor welfare align perfectly with our commitment to promoting transparent investment practices."
Spectrum Markets Caps Off Milestone Year
Spectrum Markets concluded a banner year in 2023 with several fourth-quarter achievements. This included unprecedented trading volumes in October, record order book turnover for the second fiscal quarter, and new membership in a leading Italian investment association.
In October 2023 alone, Spectrum Markets facilitated the exchange of 179 million securitized derivatives, its highest-ever monthly volume. Thirty-four percent of these trades notably occurred outside traditional trading hours. Index-based instruments tied to the DAX 40, S&P 500, and NASDAQ 100 represented a significant portion of the derivatives' activity.
Spectrum Markets sustained this momentum into the full quarter, as order book turnover grew 10% year-over-year to reach €921 million. This milestone marked Spectrum Market's second-best fiscal quarter ever. Compared to Q2 2023's 340 million traded derivatives, the platform saw a boost of 5% in trading volume this quarter, with 421 million securitized derivatives exchanged.
Beyond the trading surge, Spectrum Markets in December became the first Multilateral Trading Facility to join the Italian Association of Certificates and Investment Products as an associate member. This alignment cements Spectrum Market's pioneering position in collaborative European securities industry growth.
