Kepler Cheuvreux – Building a low-latency, cloud-enabled trade execution platform

Agility and Collaboration: Building a low-latency cloud-enabled trade execution platform

KCx, the Execution services of Kepler Cheuvreux, offers sophisticated execution capabilities to global investors. Its focus on agility, collaboration, and advanced quantitative capabilities has resulted in a modern brokerage that blends white-glove service with intelligent analytical execution algorithms.

KCx partnered with Adaptive to build its new NextGen trade execution platform – KCx Omni. The aim was to build a proprietary scalable sequencer-based architecture that could operate on-premises as well as in the cloud and allow KCx to continue to innovate at pace. The collaboration leverages KCx’s unique quantitative and technical capabilities together with Adaptive’s long standing track record of building low-latency trading platforms.

Navigating the complexities of global equities trading

Global equities markets are more complex today than ever before, with market fragmentation, volatility, and increased regulatory scrutiny. Agility, client-centric focus, and advanced analytics are now table stakes for top tier firms. As a result, brokers are turning to advanced technology and event-driven algorithms to enable smarter trading and deliver the best possible execution experience. Technology- and data-driven innovation fuels the race for the next generation execution platforms and allows brokers to differentiate themselves and stand out from the competition.

The brief – Building a bespoke execution platform

• Support the buildout of a scalable low-latency NextGen trade execution platform.
• Deliver a sequenced, event-based proprietary architecture.
• Build with the cloud in mind for future flexibility and scalability.
• Seamlessly integrate with the existing KCx technology stack.

The solution – Leveraging Adaptive’s technology platform

• Aeron®, the low-latency, high-throughput, resilient messaging & clustering technology.
• Adaptive’s Hydra technology which streamlines the build process, enabling swift project delivery and ensuring the execution platform scales effectively over time.
• KCx’s internal development expertise combined with Adaptive’s capital markets technology experience.

The Outcome – A high-performance, resilient front office equities system

• A proprietary sequencer-based technical architecture integrating all of KCx’s execution components.
• A single, intuitive UI providing insight and analytics across all execution flows.
• An automated functional and non-functional testing framework ensuring correctness and verifiable performance.
• A hybrid technology stack, able to leverage AWS Nitro Systems and kernel bypass to deliver reliable low-latency performance on both cloud and on-premises.

Anvar Karimson
CTO
Kepler Cheuvreux

Chris McConville
Global Head of Execution Services and Trading
KCx

Kepler Cheuvreux Execution Services (KCx) offers a top-tier trading platform with global expertise. Our team of High Touch, Low Touch, and Portfolio Traders operates across 13 offices, providing advanced algorithms, AI-driven transaction cost analysis, and dedicated execution consultants. Backed by robust support, we help you optimize execution performance. KCx is the last agency-only, independent European broker with proprietary algo strategies, underpinned by a multi-year investment in electronic trading.