In this thoughtful writeup by TradingTech Insight, from A-Team Group, Mike O’Hare points out some interesting findings in the recently published report Building Competitive Technology for the Exchanges of the Future from Acuiti.io in collaboration with Connamara Technologies:
Press Release
Jim Downs to Speak at Environmental Markets Association Annual Meeting
Jim Downs is headed to Scottsdale, AZ, to speak at the Environmental Markets Association 28th Annual Meeting. Jim will join a panel of industry experts to discuss Industry Upgrade: How to Leverage Technology to Enhance Environmental Markets.
Jim will be joined by moderator, Ken Nelson, President, Blue Delta Energy, LLC and fellow panelists, Brian Fallon, SVP, Xpansiv and Benjamin Gerber, President, M-RETS.
ForecastEx, event contracts, and a new way to think about markets – WatersTechnology
WatersTechnology’s Anthony Malakian speaks with the former CEO of OneChicago David Downey about his new venture, ForecastEx, and the future of prediction markets.
As Anthony notes: It [ForecastEx] tapped Connamara Technologies to build ForecastEx’s tech stack using the former’s EP3 platform as the base, and then the vendor built out surveillance and compliance modules.
Read the full article here
The Future of Exchange Matching Engines with Connamara Technologies – hosted by Patrick Young
In this lively video, Patrick Young of Exchange Invest talks with Connamara Technologies’ co-founders Jim Downs and Maureen Downs about the growth opportunities and challenges for exchanges around the globe, the role of technology as a driver of growth and the complexities of building a successful exchange.
A matching engine is not an exchange, it’s all the things that go around an exchange. – Jim Downs
Want to learn more about how Connamara Technologies and its EP3 exchange and clearing platform is revolutionizing the exchange industry?
Connamara’s EP3 Platform Powers the Launch of New Predictions Exchange, ForecastEx – A-Team Insight
ForecastEx, the new exchange focused on predictions markets for US economic indicators and global climate events, has successfully launched, utilising Connamara Technologies’ EP3 exchange and clearing platform, reports A-Team Insight.
“ForecastEx is underpinned by Connamara’s EP3 platform, which integrates key exchange functions into a unified system, offering market access, data distribution, order matching, execution, risk management, regulatory reporting, and settlement. Designed to meet the needs of evolving markets, including predictions, crypto, and tokenized real-world assets, EP3 is also adaptable to traditional trading markets like equities and derivatives.”
Connamara Technologies’ EP3 Exchange and Clearing Platform Powers Interactive Brokers’ ForecastEx Predictions Exchange
Austin, Texas – August 14, 2024 – ForecastEx successfully launched its innovative predictions exchange for contracts on US economic and global climate events on August 1st, backed by Connamara Technologies’ fully integrated EP3 exchange and clearing technology.
ForecastEx, a wholly owned subsidiary of Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: IBKR), is licensed by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) as a Designated Contract Market (DCM) and a Derivatives Clearing Organization (DCO).
US economic events offered on ForecastEx include Unemployment Claims, Consumer Price Index, Retail Sales, Fed Funds, Housing Starts, and others. Global climate events include temperatures and atmospheric CO2.
EP3 is a New Breed of Exchange and Clearing Technology:
- An end-to-end solution seamlessly integrating all key functions into a single, robust platform, including market access, market-data distribution, order matching and execution, exchange operations and administration, risk management, market surveillance, regulatory reporting, and clearing and settlement.
- Purpose-built for the next generation of exchanges and marketplaces with technology that is quick-to-market, cost-accessible, and easily adaptable to new asset classes and ways of trading.
- Meeting the evolving needs of dynamic markets like predictions, crypto, and tokenized real-world assets, while addressing regulatory requirements for traditional markets like equities and derivatives.
ForecastEx CEO David Downey:
“We’re impressed with Connamara’s ability to meet our exacting requirements with EP3 and deliver exchange and clearinghouse technology for an entirely new market. As ForecastEx grows, we expect to lean on the EP3 platform and team to introduce more innovative features for our customers.”
Connamara Technologies CEO Jim Downs:
“It’s a privilege to work with the visionaries at ForecastEx and we’re grateful for their trust. We’ve enjoyed the challenge of building this unique market and look forward to working alongside the ForecastEx team to enhance its capabilities over time.”
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About Connamara Technologies and EP3
Connamara Technologies is a leading provider of fully integrated exchange infrastructure, empowering new and existing exchanges to operate with exceptional efficiency and reliability via its EP3 exchange and clearing technology. Engineered for the evolving needs of the next generation of exchanges and marketplaces, EP3 is shaping the future of financial markets.
For more information, visit www.connamara.tech or LinkedIn.
For more information about ForecastEx, LLC, visit www.forecastex.com.
For information about Interactive Brokers Group, Inc., visit www.interactivebrokers.com.
MEDIA CONTACT
Randy Williams for Connamara
+1.917.213.5980
[email protected]
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EP3 Introduces Cross-Platform Deployment, Up to 20% Reduction in Costs, Increasing Performance by up to 30%
In the latest release of EP3’s matching engine, version 0.4.42-1, we’re proud to unveil a transformative capability: cross-platform deployments for cloud CPUs, enhancing the versatility of our exchange technology and offering customers:
- Universal compatibility and seamless operation across diverse hardware (including ARM64 chips)
- Cross-platform support that extends to future architectures not yet released (e.g., AWS Graviton2, Graviton3, and inbound releases)
- Lower overall operational costs by supporting the most practical cloud CPU architectures (by up to 20%)
- Potential performance enhancements clocking in around 30%
What is Cross-Platform Deployment?
Many of us are familiar with MacOS’s transition to “M” chips and the challenges of running older Intel 64-bit applications on M1 and M2 processors. These transitions often require users to wait for software vendors to update their applications and provide MacOS or Universal Binary support. Similarly, we may be aware of 32-bit compatibility mode on Windows but may not fully understand its purpose.
At the heart of these challenges lies the concept of cross-platform deployment. Every computer contains a CPU* chip that operates according to a specific set of instructions. Software applications must be translated into the language understood by the CPU to function properly. There are various “languages” spoken by CPUs, with 32-bit and 64-bit being just two examples among many. For instance, the Mac Notes app must be compatible with both Intel 64-bit CPUs in older machines and ARM 64-bit CPUs in newer M1 or M2 laptops, despite being 64-bit architectures.
The complexity extends to the cloud, where different CPUs offer varying cost levels, speed, and power consumption. However, not all CPUs “speak” the same language.
The EP3 Solution, Inspired by Customer Feedback:
EP3’s new cross-platform deployments solve this multi-language translation issue and empower exchange operators to deploy to any Cloud CPU. EP3 cross-platform deployments are not much different from the MacOS Universal Binary. Our latest updates provide customers with one straightforward installation to use on any Cloud CPU that suits their needs without worrying about application support.
This solution was driven by customer feedback and market demand. An EP3 customer approached us with a desire to lower their cloud costs by leveraging AWS Graviton CPUs. In response to this feedback, we introduced multi-platform support into our software build system, ensuring compatibility with ARM64 architecture and other future CPU innovations. This customer-centric approach to innovation underscores our commitment to providing solutions that meet the evolving needs of our users.
Once released, this feature will be available to all customers regardless of commercial specifics.
Stats: Lower Costs, Performance Enhancements Across the Board
According to our research, substantial evidence supports the benefits of cross-platform deployments regarding cost reduction and performance enhancement.
While we’re just releasing this feature, similar case studies have shown that users can scale up to 30% while reducing costs by 20% using AWS Graviton3. Other examples cite 40% better price-performance and in another, 50% better performance. An average of 20% cost reduction and 30-40% increased performance is significant, even with domain or application-specific variation.
Stay Updated:
Follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about the latest news and releases from EP3, ensuring that you never miss out on the latest advancements in our EP3 matching engine and exchange technology.
*Note: “CPU” and “processor” are interchangeable terms, as are “CPU language” and “hardware architecture.” Similarly, while “machine” typically refers to a device like a laptop, “machine type” may denote a category of CPU/processor that operates using a specific CPU/machine language/hardware architecture.
Connamara Technologies joins Google Cloud Partner Advantage
Exchanges Made Easy…with Google Cloud!
Austin, TX, MAY 2, 2024 — Connamara Technologies announced today that it has joined Google Cloud Partner Advantage at the partner level for the Build engagement model. This gives Google Cloud customers the ability to create financial exchanges and other exchange technology solutions that are built with and run on Google Cloud.
As a Google Cloud partner, Connamara Technologies offers customers the ability to build and operate highly customized exchanges with the EP3 platform as its foundation. Key features of the platform:
- Order Matching Engines, Auctions, RFQs, and other market mechanisms
- Exchange Operations and Reporting
- Market Surveillance and Risk Tooling
- Clearing and Settlement Workflows
- APIs for other custom functionality and integrations
EP3 is supported by a dedicated team of professionals with decades of experience building custom software for capital markets. Connamara Technologies’ professional services and support teams allow customers to scale quickly, receive immediate support, and extend EP3’s functionality.
“Although EP3 can be deployed on-prem or to any cloud provider, it is an obvious fit for us to be a Google Cloud partner because we love building on the Google Cloud ecosystem and are confident we can provide our customers and future customers with a better experience of building marketplaces through this partnership with Google Cloud.”
– Daniel Davis, Head of Growth, Connamara Technologies
To learn more about how EP3 can help build your marketplace, contact [email protected].
About Connamara Technologies
Connamara Technologies builds future-ready exchange platforms and order matching engines. It’s the company behind EP3, the advanced exchange platform and order matching engine incubated by Connamara Systems.
Learn more: https://www.connamara.tech
Connamara Technologies Granted Membership to FIA
AUSTIN, TEXAS, Feb 16, 2024
Connamara Technologies, the company behind EP3, the asset agnostic exchange platform, announces that it has been approved for membership to the Futures Industry Association (FIA, Inc).
FIA is the leading global trade organization for futures, options, and centrally cleared derivative markets. With offices in Brussels, London, Singapore, and Washington, D.C., its mission is to support open, transparent, and competitive markets, protect and enhance the financial system’s integrity, and promote high standards of professional conduct. Since 1955, FIA has partnered with global regulators, promoted industry-led best practices, supported efficiency and innovation, and ensured the safety and soundness of global cleared derivatives markets now and in the future.
Connamara Technologies can leverage this newly granted membership to connect with market participants, regulators, and industry leaders. With FIA’s high-level advocacy support, the Technologies team can access exclusive member-only data visualizations, including levels of trading activity on global futures exchanges, risk exposures at CCPs, the amount of customer funds held by U.S. clearing firms, and SEF volumes. FIA also maintains a central repository of exchange-provided risk controls and practices in global cleared derivatives markets for the use of FIA members.
Connamara Technologies will celebrate our membership acceptance by sponsoring the Pickleball Clinic at FIA Boca, the annual International Futures Industry Conference, on Mar 10, 2024.
“It’s an honor for our young company to be granted membership in FIA,” remarked Connamara Technologies co-founder and CEO Jim Downs. “The FIA and its prestigious membership ranks represent the leading thinkers driving future thinking in global derivative markets. Connamara Tech is pleased to be among this exclusive list of innovators.”
Access Connamara Technologies’ member profile and official announcement here.
About Connamara Technologies:
Connamara Technologies is the company behind EP3, the asset-agnostic exchange platform conceived and incubated at Connamara Systems, a provider of capital market trading solutions since 1998. EP3’s comprehensive platform provides solutions for exchange operations, order matching and execution, market surveillance, and settlement. EP3 creates performant, reliable, and scalable marketplaces enabling an exchange to run continuously with virtually no downtime. Connamara Technologies and its team of experienced professionals enable big ideas and remain dedicated to developing innovative technology that better serves the needs of tomorrow’s exchanges. Learn more: https://www.connamara.tech/company/
Connamara Technologies Achieves SOC 2 Type II Certification
Connamara Technologies is pleased to announce that it has successfully completed the Service Organization Controls (SOC) 2 Type II certification created by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). This certification demonstrates the company’s commitment to the highest standards of client confidentiality and information security with all of its policies, practices, and systems subjected to review. In collaboration with Vanta for continuous monitoring and Johanson Group for formal certification, Connamara demonstrated its scrupulous adherence to the highest standards for data security.
Achieving SOC 2 Type II certification marks a significant organizational milestone in the evolution of Connamara Technologies. SOC 2 is a cybersecurity compliance framework and a widely recognized and respected compliance standard for companies entrusted with sensitive data. Connamara Technologies’ successful certification provides enterprise customers and partners with enhanced confidence.
“Many of our EP3 customers operate exchanges that are government regulated. Although Connamara Technologies is not a regulated entity, we wanted to demonstrate the same level of security controls, policies, and procedures that our customers must meet. The SOC 2 Type II certification allows us to show, on a yearly basis, that we do indeed meet the required levels of client confidentiality and information security,” remarked James Downs, Co-Founder and CEO of Connamara Technologies, upon certification. “We are committed to continually updating and enhancing our practices to keep this longstanding commitment to our customers.”
The full SOC-2 Type II certification report is available upon request. Please reach out to a Connamara Technologies team member with any questions.
About SOC 2
SOC 2 is a component of the American Institute of CPAs‘ (AICPA) Service Organization Control reporting platform. SOC 2 reports assess and attest to an organization’s controls per AICPA’s 5 Trust Service Criteria: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. SOC 2 includes a technical audit and confirmation that comprehensive information security policies and procedures are documented and followed.
About Connamara Technologies:
Connamara Technologies builds future-ready exchange platforms and order-matching engines. It’s the company behind EP3, the advanced exchange platform, and order-matching engine incubated by Connamara Systems. Learn more: https://www.connamara.tech/company/
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