Aquis Exchange, a creator and facilitator of next-generation financial markets, and Cboe Europe (Cboe), a division of Cboe Global Markets, the world’s leading derivatives and securities exchange network, are pleased to announce their intention to form a joint venture which plans to explore a bid to perform the role of the EU’s equity consolidated tape (CT) provider. The selection process for the EU equity CT is expected to begin in June 2025, with a successful applicant chosen by the end of 2025.

Aquis and Cboe, operators of pan-European equity exchanges, technology and reporting services that collectively process over half of daily European equity trades, plan to establish and co-own a new company named SimpliCT (pronounced: simplicity), which will be based in the Netherlands and seek to leverage the expertise of its founders to develop a best-of-breed equity CT.

SimpliCT’s aim would be to deliver a high-quality and reliable consolidated tape that provides a simplified, comprehensive and cost-efficient view of market activity, benefiting the widest possible range of participants. It would be supported by a commercial and governance framework designed to ensure fair treatment of both data contributors and consumers.

This initiative exemplifies Aquis and Cboe’s shared commitment and strong track record in developing pan-European solutions aligned to the vision of the EU’s Capital Markets Union. The goal is to enhance the competitiveness of EU equity markets and attract global capital flows by increasing the visibility of European issuers both within Europe and internationally, while making European markets simpler and cheaper to access.

Key points of the arrangement include:

• Aquis and Cboe will be equal shareholders of SimpliCT
• A dedicated SimpliCT management team and industry advisory committee would be appointed in due course
• If SimpliCT is successful in the selection process, Aquis and Cboe will each contribute expertise, technology and capabilities to SimpliCT

Natan Tiefenbrun, President, North American and European Equities, Cboe Global Markets, stated: “As a firm that has consistently championed for the introduction of a consolidated tape, we are thrilled to be launching SimpliCT in partnership with Aquis, who share our long-held belief in the significant benefits a well-operated and governed tape can bring to EU capital markets. As one of the most important market infrastructure developments the EU has introduced for many years, it requires a provider that has the necessary technical, operational, and commercial expertise, and is aligned to policy makers’ vision and objectives for the tape. SimpliCT has been created to meet this ambitious goal, by seeking to leverage the leading capabilities of its founder firms and their unwavering commitment to see it succeed.”

Alasdair Haynes, Chief Executive, Aquis, commented: “Aquis has long been an advocate of a consolidated tape in Europe, and is delighted to be partnering with Cboe, an operator that has been similarly steadfast in its commitment. The advantages to the industry of establishing a tape have been clear for many years, and both Aquis and Cboe have been strong supporters.

“Together with Cboe, we have identified a clear opportunity to serve the financial community as an independent and competitive operator through the formation of SimpliCT. This proposed joint venture would not only represent a cost-efficient, robust business model that integrates advanced complementary, proprietary technologies, it would also be designed to deliver fair compensation for data contribution, aligning the interests of contributors and consumers.”

The European Commission has mandated the creation of a single entity to operate a real-time pre- and post-trade CT for equities for five years as part of the MiFIR Review, which came into force in April 2024. The task of selecting the equity CT has been delegated to the European Securities and Market Authority (ESMA). It is expected to begin the selection process in June 2025 and choose a successful applicant by the end of 2025.

Aquis and Cboe, which operate trading venues in the EU and UK, have substantial levels of technical, operational, and commercial expertise as highly experienced operators of EU-regulated venues, trade reporting and data services. Together, they contribute significantly to EU equities data, with more than half of EU equity trades either traded or reported on Aquis and Cboe platforms.

Source: Aquis