ParFX, the wholesale global spot FX electronic trading platform, today announced the completion of the first trades via ParFX Prime, its new prime brokerage service for the buy-side FX community.
ParFX Prime was launched to enable buy-side customers to trade through their prime broker on a post-trade disclosed basis, alongside the growing community of banks already trading on the platform. The first successful trades were completed on 28 August by London-based GSA Capital and New-York-based Virtu Financial. Prime banks live at the launch of the service include Citi and Deutsche Bank.
ParFX Prime is unique in delivering full trade transparency, with executing broker, prime bank and prime client required to give up their names post-trade. All orders are subject to ParFX’s unique matching mechanism that applies a randomised pause to all submissions, amendments and cancellations, thus ensuring a level playing field for all participants regardless of technological sophistication or financial strength.
Sanjay Madgavkar, Global Head of FX Prime at Citi, comments: “The completion of the first buy-side trade on ParFX is testament to its success in launching a platform with innovative technology and a robust trading environment. We look forward to continuing to play a role in building participation on the platform over the coming months.”
Chris Concannon, President and Chief Operating Officer of Virtu Financial, comments: “From the outset, it was clear that ParFX was a truly differentiated platform delivering transparency, fairness and a level playing field, and we are delighted to be one of the first to go live through prime connectivity.
“For us, the crucial differentiator of ParFX Prime is the level of trading transparency it offers to ensure fair, orderly trading conditions. Showing counterparty names post trade is a progressive and logical move to enhancing transparency, genuine liquidity and trading relationships across this market. These are values we share and identify strongly with.”
Dan Marcus, CEO of ParFX, comments: “The prime brokerage model is a key avenue for buy-side participants to exchange risk, but has been taken advantage of by disruptive traders due to anonymity and a lack of transparency surrounding it. We have developed this solution as a direct response to this growing concern – one shared by a wide range of buy-side and sell-side participants – and have been overwhelmed by interest in our prime solution to date.
“ParFX supports full post-trade transparency by identifying the executing broker, prime bank and prime client on all trade details. By removing the mask of anonymity we are encouraging responsible trading behaviour.”
Alex Gerko, Head of FX Trading at GSA Capital, comments: “Since its inception, ParFX has been committed to creating a level playing field amongst participants on its platform; in particular ensuring that trading speed does not equate to an advantage, something we wholeheartedly support. We also believe that universal trading access is a crucial component of any fair market and thus welcome the decision to open to the buy-side and look forward to building our presence on the platform.”
Jason Vitale, Head of FX Prime Brokerage & EMEA Head of Fixed Income Prime Brokerage at Deutsche Bank, comments: “As a founder of ParFX and one of the largest providers of FX prime brokerage services, Deutsche Bank appreciates the opportunity to assist the buy-side community in building ParFX Prime.”