BlackRock, OTCX Partner to Bring OTC Derivatives Fully Online

Core Insights - BlackRock's technology arm has partnered with fintech OTCX to digitize over-the-counter derivatives trading, moving away from traditional voice-based methods [1][3][11] Group 1: Partnership Details - The multi-year partnership will integrate OTCX's electronic marketplace with BlackRock's Aladdin system, allowing users to manage complex derivatives trades without phone calls [2][6] - OTCX aims to provide market participants with more choices, lower costs, and efficient workflows in a historically fragmented market [4][10] Group 2: Market Context - The OTC derivatives market, valued at $700 trillion, still relies heavily on phone calls and spreadsheets for trade matching despite regulatory efforts [3][9] - The integration aligns with regulatory changes like the EMIR Refit in the EU and the CFTC's swap-reporting rules in the US, which demand improved data quality and compliance [7][10] Group 3: Technological Advancements - The partnership enhances Aladdin's connectivity to various trading venues, expanding its reach into opaque derivatives markets [6][10] - Other technology vendors are also innovating in the post-trade space, indicating a broader trend towards electronification in OTC derivatives [8][9]