Bank trading desks are continually seeking faster data processing to speed up deals and this is pitting technology developers against the laws of physics. Dan Barnes reports.In the big money world of trading, patience is definitely not a virtue. Traders who miss deals by milliseconds, or are outwitted by a competitor’s superior data, quickly become history. That is why they demand the best from their IT departments and do not take ‘no’ for an answer.
Who needs science fiction when the real thing is much more amazing? In this month’s cover story “Quantum Leap, Trading Faster Than the Speed of Light”, technology editor Dan Barnes explores how the demands of the trading desk for capacity and speed are bumping up against the laws of physics.
Growing volumes of orders and trades will require faster processing and increased capacity in both banks and exchanges, says Dan Barnes.As black box/algorithmic trading pushes data volumes through the roof and venue competition grows, order-processing speed and capacity must be increased to compete in the securities game.