Today, we’re extremely excited to announce the launch of RQD* Clearing, a next-generation correspondent clearing provider. We’re delivering the industry’s first offering built entirely on cloud-native, real-time technology, which means our advanced suite of clearing, custody and execution solutions function more like the apps our clients use in their personal lives than the outdated systems they’re forced to deal with in their professional ones.
While we’re just formally launching today, we are by no means newcomers to this space. Our roots extend from an options market maker, which we spun out of two years ago to build RQD. Our system’s been live with clients clearing through it for six months. And our management team brings not only extensive clearing sector experience, but also draws from the broader securities industry, including at firms including Goldman Sachs, UBS, Deutsche Bank, Morgan Stanley, Blackstone, Cboe and the SEC.
And there’s good reason for that. Unlike the other corners of the industry we’ve worked in, which have seen profound change and innovation, clearing has remained the same analog, batch-process-driven industry for the past 20+ years. That translates to increased risk, additional cost and an overall inability to meet the needs of today’s financial institutions.
Addressing those challenges is why we created this business. Our goal is simple: to deliver scalable, customizable solutions to support clients’ ever-expanding needs. This commitment is present in everything we do, from our use of the most modern technology to our painless integration process. We’ve envisioned a real-time future where clearing is simpler, more powerful and more secure. So that’s what we built.
But as sophisticated as our platform is, we’ve built it with a deep understanding of the realities of the capital markets. This is a serious business we’re in, with foundational technology like ours facilitating a critical step of the investment process for millions of people worldwide. For very good reason, brokers demand thoroughly tested clearing and custody solutions that meet stringent security and stability requirements. We’ve spent a tremendous amount of time and energy on this very issue, to which our FINRA, OCC, DTC, NSCC and various exchange memberships will attest.
Today marks an important step in our journey, but there are many more to go. We believe our business is an ideal solution for broker-dealers that service retail, institutional and active traders, as well as foreign financial institutions and proprietary trading firms. If you fall into any of those categories, expect to be hearing more from us. And if you’d like that to be sooner rather than later, don’t hesitate to drop us a line today.
As we like to say, the future of clearing is required. And the future of clearing is RQD.
