This article was written by Patricia Tsang and Sophie Gerber (Director, TRAction Fintech
Fintech
Financial Technology (fintech) is defined as ay technology that is geared towards automating and enhancing the delivery and application of financial services. The origin of the term fintechs can be traced back to the 1990s where it was primarily used as a back-end system technology for renowned financial institutions. However, it has since grown outside the business sector with an increased focus upon consumer services.What Purpose Do Fintechs Serve?The main purpose of fintechs would be to supply a technological service that not only simplifies but also aids consumers, business operators, and networks.This is done by optimizing business processes and financial operations through the implementation of specialized software, algorithms, and automated computing processes. Transitioning from the roots of the financial sector, fintech providers can be found through a multitude of industries such as retail banking, education, cryptocurrencies, insurance, nonprofit, and more. While fintechs cover a vast array of business sectors, it can be broken down into four classifications which are as followed: Business-to-business for banks, Business-to-business for banking business clients, business-to-consumers for small businesses, and consumers. More recently, fintechs presence has become increasingly apparent within the trading sector, primarily for cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.The creation and use of Bitcoin can also be contributed to innovations brought upon by fintechs while smart contracts through blockchain technology have simplified and automated contracts between buyers and sellers. As a whole, fintechs applications are growing more diverse with a consumer-centric focus while its applications continue to innovate the trading and cryptocurrency sectors through automated technologies and business practices.
Financial Technology (fintech) is defined as ay technology that is geared towards automating and enhancing the delivery and application of financial services. The origin of the term fintechs can be traced back to the 1990s where it was primarily used as a back-end system technology for renowned financial institutions. However, it has since grown outside the business sector with an increased focus upon consumer services.What Purpose Do Fintechs Serve?The main purpose of fintechs would be to supply a technological service that not only simplifies but also aids consumers, business operators, and networks.This is done by optimizing business processes and financial operations through the implementation of specialized software, algorithms, and automated computing processes. Transitioning from the roots of the financial sector, fintech providers can be found through a multitude of industries such as retail banking, education, cryptocurrencies, insurance, nonprofit, and more. While fintechs cover a vast array of business sectors, it can be broken down into four classifications which are as followed: Business-to-business for banks, Business-to-business for banking business clients, business-to-consumers for small businesses, and consumers. More recently, fintechs presence has become increasingly apparent within the trading sector, primarily for cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.The creation and use of Bitcoin can also be contributed to innovations brought upon by fintechs while smart contracts through blockchain technology have simplified and automated contracts between buyers and sellers. As a whole, fintechs applications are growing more diverse with a consumer-centric focus while its applications continue to innovate the trading and cryptocurrency sectors through automated technologies and business practices.
Read this Term Pty Ltd, which provides services to report on behalf of OTC derivatives issuers).
Australian issuers of OTC derivatives (with less than A$5 billion gross notional outstanding positions as of 30th June, 2014) will need to report for the first time from 12 October, 2015 under the ASIC Derivative Transaction Rules (Reporting) 2013 as amended (the Reporting Rules).
Data items to be reported
Under Reporting Rule 2.2.1, a reporting entity must report specified information, including information about:
- each of its reportable transactions; and
- each of its reportable positions.
For Phase 3 entities (essentially those with less than A$5 billion gross notional outstanding positions as of 30th June, 2014), reporting of information for each reportable transaction as set out in Part S2.1 of Schedule 2 to a relevant repository is required, and reporting of information for each reportable position as set out in Part S2.2 of Schedule 2 to a relevant repository. Part S2.1 of Schedule 2 essentially requires data items for each reportable transaction as listed in the tables there. Similarly, Part S2.2 of Schedule 2 essentially requires data items for each reportable position as listed in the tables there.
There are a large number of data items listed/required – including the legal name of the non-reporting counterparty and the identifier of the non-reporting counterparty (which will be, in the case of an individual, a client code assigned by the reporting counterparty but not, for example, the address/telephone number of the individual) – which has led to some concerns about the sensitivity/granularity of the data reported with respect to a particular reporting entity firm (and its business/profit model).
Single-sided reporting
Single-sided reporting relief may operate to ameliorate some of those concerns. Please see our previous article “Final Regulations on Single-Sided Reporting for OTC Derivatives” published on 20 September 2015 for details. Where the relief conditions are met, the exempt reporting entity will not need to report transactions/positions with the relevant reporting counterparty (although it will need to report transactions/positions with end users/customers/other parties not being reporting counterparties in relation to which relief conditions are met).
Snapshot reporting
Further, Reporting Rule 2.2.8(b) allows snapshot reporting as an alternative to lifecycle reporting in certain cases.
Under Reporting Rule 2.2.8 (b), a reporting entity may comply with Reporting Rule 2.2.1 in relation to a reportable transaction (for a non-excluded derivative) that takes place on a day (Relevant Day) by reporting information in relation to a derivative on its terms as of the Relevant Day.
According to the relevant ASIC Explanatory Statement for Reporting Rule 2.2.8, "snapshot" reporting is a form of reporting whereby reporting entities report positions as of each business day and which form is permitted in other jurisdictions, including the United States. Prior to Reporting Rule 2.2.8 being made, ASIC had recommended, in its Regulation
Regulation
Like any other industry with a high net worth, the financial services industry is tightly regulated to help curb illicit behavior and manipulation. Each asset class has its own set of protocols put in place to combat their respective forms of abuse.In the foreign exchange space, regulation is assumed by authorities in multiple jurisdictions, though ultimately lacking a binding international order. Who are the Industry’s Leading Regulators?Regulators such as the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the US’ Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Australian Security and Investment Commission (ASIC), and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) are the most widely dealt with authorities in the FX industry.In its most basic sense, regulators help ensure the filing of reports and transmission of data to help police and monitor activity by brokers. Regulators also serve as a countermeasure against market abuse and malpractice by brokers. Brokers adhering to a list of mandated rules are authorized to provide investment activities in a given jurisdiction. By extension, many unauthorized or unregulated entities will also seek to market their services illegally or function as a clone of a regulated operation.Regulators are essential in snuffing out these scam operations as they prevent significant risks for investors.In terms of reporting, brokers are also required to regularly file reports about their clients’ positions to the relevant regulatory authorities. The most-recent regulatory push in the aftermath of the Great Financial Crisis of 2008 has delivered a material shift in the regulatory reporting landscape.Brokers typically outsource the reporting to other companies which are connecting the trade repositories used by regulators to the broker’s systems and are handling this crucial element of compliance.Beyond FX, regulators help reconcile all matters of oversight and are watchdogs for each industry. With ever-changing information and protocols, regulators are always working to promote fairer and more transparent business practices from brokers or exchanges.
Like any other industry with a high net worth, the financial services industry is tightly regulated to help curb illicit behavior and manipulation. Each asset class has its own set of protocols put in place to combat their respective forms of abuse.In the foreign exchange space, regulation is assumed by authorities in multiple jurisdictions, though ultimately lacking a binding international order. Who are the Industry’s Leading Regulators?Regulators such as the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the US’ Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Australian Security and Investment Commission (ASIC), and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) are the most widely dealt with authorities in the FX industry.In its most basic sense, regulators help ensure the filing of reports and transmission of data to help police and monitor activity by brokers. Regulators also serve as a countermeasure against market abuse and malpractice by brokers. Brokers adhering to a list of mandated rules are authorized to provide investment activities in a given jurisdiction. By extension, many unauthorized or unregulated entities will also seek to market their services illegally or function as a clone of a regulated operation.Regulators are essential in snuffing out these scam operations as they prevent significant risks for investors.In terms of reporting, brokers are also required to regularly file reports about their clients’ positions to the relevant regulatory authorities. The most-recent regulatory push in the aftermath of the Great Financial Crisis of 2008 has delivered a material shift in the regulatory reporting landscape.Brokers typically outsource the reporting to other companies which are connecting the trade repositories used by regulators to the broker’s systems and are handling this crucial element of compliance.Beyond FX, regulators help reconcile all matters of oversight and are watchdogs for each industry. With ever-changing information and protocols, regulators are always working to promote fairer and more transparent business practices from brokers or exchanges.
Read this Term Impact Statement, making end-of-day or snapshot reporting a permanent reporting option under the Reporting Rules.
Only certain data to be made publicly available
Finally, under the ASIC Derivative Trade Repository Rules 2013 (the Repository Rules), a licensed derivative trade repository is only required to make publicly available certain statistical data as set out in Repository Rules 2.3.5 and 2.3.6. Each of those Repository Rules provides that the statistical data published under that rule must not include derivative trade data capable of identifying a counterparty to a derivative transaction.
For more information on this area, please see previous published articles by the authors:
23 August, 2015 – “Australia – Will Single-Sided Reporting Relief Help OTC Derivative Issuers?”
6 September, 2015 – “Australia – To Whom Should Australian OTC Derivative Issuers Report”
10 September, 2015 – “Australia - October 12 Reporting Deadline Looming - Who needs to report under intermediary authorisation or authorised representative arrangements in relation to OTC derivatives?”
20 September, 2015 – “Final Regulations on Single-Sided Reporting for OTC Derivatives”
24 September, 2015 – “Australia – October 12 Reporting Deadline Looming -The Safe Harbour Benefits of Delegated Reporting”
30 September, 2015 - "Australia - October 12 Reporting Deadline Looming - What Are the Penalties for not Reporting?"
This article was written by Patricia Tsang and Sophie Gerber (Director, TRAction Fintech
Fintech
Financial Technology (fintech) is defined as ay technology that is geared towards automating and enhancing the delivery and application of financial services. The origin of the term fintechs can be traced back to the 1990s where it was primarily used as a back-end system technology for renowned financial institutions. However, it has since grown outside the business sector with an increased focus upon consumer services.What Purpose Do Fintechs Serve?The main purpose of fintechs would be to supply a technological service that not only simplifies but also aids consumers, business operators, and networks.This is done by optimizing business processes and financial operations through the implementation of specialized software, algorithms, and automated computing processes. Transitioning from the roots of the financial sector, fintech providers can be found through a multitude of industries such as retail banking, education, cryptocurrencies, insurance, nonprofit, and more. While fintechs cover a vast array of business sectors, it can be broken down into four classifications which are as followed: Business-to-business for banks, Business-to-business for banking business clients, business-to-consumers for small businesses, and consumers. More recently, fintechs presence has become increasingly apparent within the trading sector, primarily for cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.The creation and use of Bitcoin can also be contributed to innovations brought upon by fintechs while smart contracts through blockchain technology have simplified and automated contracts between buyers and sellers. As a whole, fintechs applications are growing more diverse with a consumer-centric focus while its applications continue to innovate the trading and cryptocurrency sectors through automated technologies and business practices.
Financial Technology (fintech) is defined as ay technology that is geared towards automating and enhancing the delivery and application of financial services. The origin of the term fintechs can be traced back to the 1990s where it was primarily used as a back-end system technology for renowned financial institutions. However, it has since grown outside the business sector with an increased focus upon consumer services.What Purpose Do Fintechs Serve?The main purpose of fintechs would be to supply a technological service that not only simplifies but also aids consumers, business operators, and networks.This is done by optimizing business processes and financial operations through the implementation of specialized software, algorithms, and automated computing processes. Transitioning from the roots of the financial sector, fintech providers can be found through a multitude of industries such as retail banking, education, cryptocurrencies, insurance, nonprofit, and more. While fintechs cover a vast array of business sectors, it can be broken down into four classifications which are as followed: Business-to-business for banks, Business-to-business for banking business clients, business-to-consumers for small businesses, and consumers. More recently, fintechs presence has become increasingly apparent within the trading sector, primarily for cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.The creation and use of Bitcoin can also be contributed to innovations brought upon by fintechs while smart contracts through blockchain technology have simplified and automated contracts between buyers and sellers. As a whole, fintechs applications are growing more diverse with a consumer-centric focus while its applications continue to innovate the trading and cryptocurrency sectors through automated technologies and business practices.
Read this Term Pty Ltd, which provides services to report on behalf of OTC derivatives issuers).
Australian issuers of OTC derivatives (with less than A$5 billion gross notional outstanding positions as of 30th June, 2014) will need to report for the first time from 12 October, 2015 under the ASIC Derivative Transaction Rules (Reporting) 2013 as amended (the Reporting Rules).
Data items to be reported
Under Reporting Rule 2.2.1, a reporting entity must report specified information, including information about:
- each of its reportable transactions; and
- each of its reportable positions.
For Phase 3 entities (essentially those with less than A$5 billion gross notional outstanding positions as of 30th June, 2014), reporting of information for each reportable transaction as set out in Part S2.1 of Schedule 2 to a relevant repository is required, and reporting of information for each reportable position as set out in Part S2.2 of Schedule 2 to a relevant repository. Part S2.1 of Schedule 2 essentially requires data items for each reportable transaction as listed in the tables there. Similarly, Part S2.2 of Schedule 2 essentially requires data items for each reportable position as listed in the tables there.
There are a large number of data items listed/required – including the legal name of the non-reporting counterparty and the identifier of the non-reporting counterparty (which will be, in the case of an individual, a client code assigned by the reporting counterparty but not, for example, the address/telephone number of the individual) – which has led to some concerns about the sensitivity/granularity of the data reported with respect to a particular reporting entity firm (and its business/profit model).
Single-sided reporting
Single-sided reporting relief may operate to ameliorate some of those concerns. Please see our previous article “Final Regulations on Single-Sided Reporting for OTC Derivatives” published on 20 September 2015 for details. Where the relief conditions are met, the exempt reporting entity will not need to report transactions/positions with the relevant reporting counterparty (although it will need to report transactions/positions with end users/customers/other parties not being reporting counterparties in relation to which relief conditions are met).
Snapshot reporting
Further, Reporting Rule 2.2.8(b) allows snapshot reporting as an alternative to lifecycle reporting in certain cases.
Under Reporting Rule 2.2.8 (b), a reporting entity may comply with Reporting Rule 2.2.1 in relation to a reportable transaction (for a non-excluded derivative) that takes place on a day (Relevant Day) by reporting information in relation to a derivative on its terms as of the Relevant Day.
According to the relevant ASIC Explanatory Statement for Reporting Rule 2.2.8, "snapshot" reporting is a form of reporting whereby reporting entities report positions as of each business day and which form is permitted in other jurisdictions, including the United States. Prior to Reporting Rule 2.2.8 being made, ASIC had recommended, in its Regulation
Regulation
Like any other industry with a high net worth, the financial services industry is tightly regulated to help curb illicit behavior and manipulation. Each asset class has its own set of protocols put in place to combat their respective forms of abuse.In the foreign exchange space, regulation is assumed by authorities in multiple jurisdictions, though ultimately lacking a binding international order. Who are the Industry’s Leading Regulators?Regulators such as the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the US’ Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Australian Security and Investment Commission (ASIC), and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) are the most widely dealt with authorities in the FX industry.In its most basic sense, regulators help ensure the filing of reports and transmission of data to help police and monitor activity by brokers. Regulators also serve as a countermeasure against market abuse and malpractice by brokers. Brokers adhering to a list of mandated rules are authorized to provide investment activities in a given jurisdiction. By extension, many unauthorized or unregulated entities will also seek to market their services illegally or function as a clone of a regulated operation.Regulators are essential in snuffing out these scam operations as they prevent significant risks for investors.In terms of reporting, brokers are also required to regularly file reports about their clients’ positions to the relevant regulatory authorities. The most-recent regulatory push in the aftermath of the Great Financial Crisis of 2008 has delivered a material shift in the regulatory reporting landscape.Brokers typically outsource the reporting to other companies which are connecting the trade repositories used by regulators to the broker’s systems and are handling this crucial element of compliance.Beyond FX, regulators help reconcile all matters of oversight and are watchdogs for each industry. With ever-changing information and protocols, regulators are always working to promote fairer and more transparent business practices from brokers or exchanges.
Like any other industry with a high net worth, the financial services industry is tightly regulated to help curb illicit behavior and manipulation. Each asset class has its own set of protocols put in place to combat their respective forms of abuse.In the foreign exchange space, regulation is assumed by authorities in multiple jurisdictions, though ultimately lacking a binding international order. Who are the Industry’s Leading Regulators?Regulators such as the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the US’ Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Australian Security and Investment Commission (ASIC), and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) are the most widely dealt with authorities in the FX industry.In its most basic sense, regulators help ensure the filing of reports and transmission of data to help police and monitor activity by brokers. Regulators also serve as a countermeasure against market abuse and malpractice by brokers. Brokers adhering to a list of mandated rules are authorized to provide investment activities in a given jurisdiction. By extension, many unauthorized or unregulated entities will also seek to market their services illegally or function as a clone of a regulated operation.Regulators are essential in snuffing out these scam operations as they prevent significant risks for investors.In terms of reporting, brokers are also required to regularly file reports about their clients’ positions to the relevant regulatory authorities. The most-recent regulatory push in the aftermath of the Great Financial Crisis of 2008 has delivered a material shift in the regulatory reporting landscape.Brokers typically outsource the reporting to other companies which are connecting the trade repositories used by regulators to the broker’s systems and are handling this crucial element of compliance.Beyond FX, regulators help reconcile all matters of oversight and are watchdogs for each industry. With ever-changing information and protocols, regulators are always working to promote fairer and more transparent business practices from brokers or exchanges.
Read this Term Impact Statement, making end-of-day or snapshot reporting a permanent reporting option under the Reporting Rules.
Only certain data to be made publicly available
Finally, under the ASIC Derivative Trade Repository Rules 2013 (the Repository Rules), a licensed derivative trade repository is only required to make publicly available certain statistical data as set out in Repository Rules 2.3.5 and 2.3.6. Each of those Repository Rules provides that the statistical data published under that rule must not include derivative trade data capable of identifying a counterparty to a derivative transaction.
For more information on this area, please see previous published articles by the authors:
23 August, 2015 – “Australia – Will Single-Sided Reporting Relief Help OTC Derivative Issuers?”
6 September, 2015 – “Australia – To Whom Should Australian OTC Derivative Issuers Report”
10 September, 2015 – “Australia - October 12 Reporting Deadline Looming - Who needs to report under intermediary authorisation or authorised representative arrangements in relation to OTC derivatives?”
20 September, 2015 – “Final Regulations on Single-Sided Reporting for OTC Derivatives”
24 September, 2015 – “Australia – October 12 Reporting Deadline Looming -The Safe Harbour Benefits of Delegated Reporting”
30 September, 2015 - "Australia - October 12 Reporting Deadline Looming - What Are the Penalties for not Reporting?"