Alex was one of the early vanguard talking to our industry about The Cloud.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexstepney/
https://cloud.google.com/

Summary

In this conversation, Alex Stepney shares his journey from a physicist to a key player in the cloud and market data sectors. He discusses the evolution of cloud technology in financial services, the importance of security, and the challenges of real-time data management. The conversation also delves into architectural strategies, the significance of cultural transformation in organizations, and the need for continuous learning and innovation in the rapidly changing landscape of technology and finance.

Takeaways

· Alex Stepney's background in physics laid the foundation for his career in technology.

· Market data is a critical component of financial services, requiring a deep understanding of various technologies.

· Cloud technology is an evolving paradigm that organizations must adapt to for growth.

· Security concerns in cloud computing have shifted from 'no' to 'how can we make it work?'.

· Hybrid and multi-cloud architectures are essential for regulated industries to mitigate risk.

· BigQuery offers a SQL interface for large data sets, but is not designed for real-time data.

· Cultural transformation is crucial for organizations to embrace innovation and change.

· Organizations should learn from other industries to drive innovation.

· The journey to cloud adoption is incremental and requires experimentation.

· Continuous learning and adaptation are key to success in the cloud era.

Chapters

00:00 The Journey Begins: Alex Stepney's Background

03:05 Market Data and Its Evolution

06:00 The Role of Cloud in Financial Services

09:09 Architectural Insights: Bridging On-Prem and Cloud

11:51 Security Concerns in Market Data

14:46 Understanding Latency and Market Data Requirements

18:07 Navigating the Hybrid Cloud Landscape

21:06 The Importance of Open Standards

23:52 The Ecosystem of Financial Services

27:05 Google's Role in Market Data Transformation

33:58 The Evolution of Market Data Messaging

38:04 Understanding BigQuery and Its Applications

41:30 Data Sharing and Its Impact on Capital Markets

43:38 Democratizing AI and Analytics for All

44:46 Cultural Transformation in the Cloud Era

48:53 Innovation vs. Cost Control in Capital Markets

51:58 Navigating Cloud Misunderstandings

54:50 The Future of Matching Engines in the Cloud

58:55 Embracing Continuous Learning and Innovation

DAVID ANDERSON -- https://www.linkedin.com/in/atradia/

We discuss the nature of operating an exchange in an emerging market – specifically within the wider context of the African continent. Mark has a great passion for ‘Analytics’ which are part of the JSE data offering.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-randall-91008b8/

https://www.jse.co.za/

DAVID ANDERSON -- https://www.linkedin.com/in/atradia/

John and David discuss the move towards trading US stocks 24/5 – something driven by interest mainly from the Asia Pacific region. This includes understanding why this is being led by ATSs not the fully regulated players. We touch on important considerations like Corporate Actions that add complexity. John has deep insight on all of this.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-willock-blockchain/

https://blueocean-tech.io/

DAVID ANDERSON -- https://www.linkedin.com/in/atradia/