THE WORLD FEDERATION OF EXCHANGES AGREES 2019 PRIORITIES

Hamilton, Bermuda: 14 February 2019— In a press release today The World Federation of Exchanges has today announced it has agreed on its business priorities.The release stated:

London, Thursday 14 February 2019 – The World Federation of Exchanges (“WFE”), the global industry group for exchanges and CCPs, has agreed its 2019 business priorities will focus on the following areas: regulatory coherence or market fragmentation; technology-related policy work on topics including initial coin offerings (ICOs), crypto assets and cyber resilience; environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues in market structure; clarifying the nature of market data; and CCP-related capital matters.

2019’s five business priorities will sit alongside the WFE’s ongoing work around understanding, defining, and quantifying the economic and social role of exchanges and CCPs.

The WFE will continue to deliver its market-leading regulatory and research work, with a strong focus on standard setting in the year ahead, combined with developing industry consensus positions, best practice, and industry guidance. The WFE's four strategic pillars of advocacy, education, emerging markets, and post-trade continue to underpin its work.

The WFE's 18-member Board and 71-member Working Committee held their first meetings of 2019 earlier this year in London, hosted by Nasdaq, to discuss and agree the ongoing work of the WFE and its forward agenda. At this meeting the Board also approved the admission of the Dar Es Salaam Stock Exchange as a full member of the WFE.

Urs Rüegsegger, Chairman of SIX Swiss Exchange and Chairman of the WFE, said: “The next two years will be a period of change and transformation across capital markets globally, and for exchanges and CCPs as guardians of public markets. At the WFE we look forward to ensuring that the market structure of the future continues to uphold the principles of fairness, transparency and order, and that we remain close to our customers and stakeholders. Market integrity sits at the heart of WFE’s members’ mandates, and we are working to preserve that trust.”

Nandini Sukumar, CEO, WFE said: “Our 2019 strategic business priorities are closely aligned firstly with the practical matters that face each and every one of our 71 exchange and CCP members, regardless of size or jurisdiction; and secondly, with the future vision of our industry. We look forward to another transformative year in the history of this global organisation. In 2020 the WFE will celebrate its 60^th anniversary, demonstrating the continued relevance and value of regulated markets.”

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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 exchanges 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