Modern Money SmartPod

Technology has long been a key component of any operations strategy in financial services. But the recent rise of AI is changing the operations landscape at a rapid pace. Ryan Clare, Global Head of Capital Markets - Go To Market at ServiceNow, outlines how technology is powering today's markets and how AI is being leveraged to help operations evolve today - and in the future.Key highlights (with timestamp)What are the hottest topics in capital markets tech right now? (0:50)What kind of impact is AI having on market infrastructure? (1:57)How is AI reshaping trading? (3:01)How is AI playing a role in risk management? (4:15)What is the future of AI when it comes to compliance? (6:26)How is increased automation changing the operations landscape? (7:54)What are the biggest concerns around the deployment of AI and other technologies? (9:32)Are there enough developers with the skills needed to create all these products? (10:37)Aside from AI, what other technologies are you keeping an eye on? (12:11)Do you have any bold predictions for what we're going to be talking about when it comes to technology and capital markets two or three years? (16:03)How can operations professionals prepare for all this rapid change? (16:58)Sign up for Modern Money SmartBrief

We wrap up our road trip to the International Futures Industry Conference via a conversation with Anthony Attia, the Global Head of Derivatives & Post Trade at Euronext. Anthony shares some of his key takeaways from a busy week in Boca, including: Discussions about the feasibility and business case for 24/7 trading at the industry level.Relatively little talk about AI -- which might indicate industry maturity on the topic.Euronext's recent announcement that it will clear crypto ETFs and ETPs.Outlining Euronext's strategic initiatives around listed derivatives, OTC derivatives, clearing, and post-trade services to drive more trading and clearing business.Sign up for Modern Money SmartBrief

The puns were flying around fast and furious on the final day of the 50th annual International Futures Industry Conference as JB Mackenzie from Robinhood joined the show to discuss the evolution of prediction markets. Prediction markets have made headlines in recent months around events like the presidential election, but as their popularity grows, JB shares his view on just how far prediction markets might push into areas like politics and sports. JB also outlines expansion efforts under way at Robinhood and explains why the new generation of investors that has embraced prediction markets and 24/7 trading is likely to drive innovation in other areas of the financial ecosystem.   Sign up for Modern Money SmartBrief

The continued growth of retail trading has been a hot topic this week at the 50th annual International Futures Industry Conference in Boca Raton, Florida. CME Group Chief Commercial Officer Julie Winkler stopped by the show to discuss what the exchange is doing to meet the needs of increasingly sophisticated retail traders. At the other end of the retail spectrum, Winkler shared details about CME Group's Trading Challenge, which introduces new investors to futures markets. Winkler also outlined ways CME Group is leveraging its partnership with Google Cloud to not only make data more accessible to traders, but also build out its matching engine's disaster recovery site.Sign up for Modern Money SmartBrief

Data has been woven into the DNA of Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) since its inception. And as markets continue to expand at a rapid pace, managing the underlying data in a resilient, scalable and accessible way remains a key priority for ICE.  In this quick update from the sidelines of the 50th annual International Futures Industry Conference, ICE Chief Operating Officer Stuart Williams details how quickly messaging traffic is growing across ICE's markets. Williams also outlines the planning and investment ICE is putting into data centers and other critical elements of market infrastructure. Sign up for Modern Money SmartBrief

To kick off the second day of the International Futures Industry Conference, Shawn Creighton, the Director of Index Derivatives Solutions at FTSE Russell, joins the show for the second year in a row to discuss the issues that are creating the most buzz at Boca50. During this quick, 10-minute podcast, Creighton delves into an array of topics, including:Interest in digital assets indices continues to expand, while the rise of cryptocurrencies powers the launch of perpetual contracts for Bitcoin and Ethereum futures.Geopolitical risks are driving continued growth of 0DTE options.Investor interest in products linked to sustainability has waned in the US, but remains steady in other markets.'Finfluencers' and other channels are being leveraged to boost awareness of the Russell 2000 in markets outside the US.Say goodbye to your weekend because the push to offer 24/7 trading is only going to get stronger.Sign up for Modern Money SmartBrief

It's Day One at the International Futures Industry Conference and Bill Gulya, Managing Director and Head of the Americas at Singapore Exchange (SGX), kicked things off by joining this podcast to discuss a couple of announcements from SGX that are making their way into the headlines.SGX has a reputation for making big news each year at #FIABoca and this year the exchange operator did not disappoint. After starting the day with an announcement about launching open-ended Bitcoin futures contracts, SGX followed up with news that it would be partnering with exchange operator B3 to launch futures contracts for the Brazilian real later this year.Bill outlined what those initiatives mean in the wider landscape for crypto and currency futures and also shared his insights about the increase in trading activity SGX is seeing that is linked to US tariff announcements and other geopolitical ructions.And of course, it wouldn't be Boca50 if we didn't discuss this year's musical entertainment: Cheap Trick. Bill shared his own anecdote about grooving to Cheap Trick as a middle schooler. It's a funny and all-too-relatable story.Sign up for Modern Money SmartBrief

In what has become an annual tradition for this podcast, Futures Industry Association President and CEO Walt Lukken stops by the show to preview what's in store at the annual International Futures Industry Conference in Boca Raton, Florida. It is the 50th anniversary of Boca, so this year's gathering is a big one. While the agenda is packed with fireside chats, speeches and panel discussions featuring some of the most influential leaders in the derivatives industry, Lukken shared his insights on a few other topics, including:How Boca has evolved throughout the yearsWhat will be this year's hottest topic? (Spoiler alert!: Trump, Trump and Trump)What a shift in regulators' views on capital might mean for the industryA stage-diving Walt???: We also had a bit of fun during our conversation. With Cheap Trick set to perform in concert at this year's conference, Walt reveals an interesting piece of personal music trivia when he explains how long he has been a fan of the band. When I asked Walt if one of the exchanges at the conference should launch an Event Contract based on whether he will do a stage dive during the concert, Walt said ... well ... you'll have to listen to hear his answer!Sign up for Modern Money SmartBrief

The SEC might have delayed the implementation of its US Treasury clearing mandate, but that doesn't mean market infrastructure experts will be taking much of a break in their preparations for the rule. Paul Hamill, the chief commercial officer at ICE Clear Credit, says the SEC's delay of at least one year will be leveraged to prepare the best possible clearing solutions for market participants. In this interview, Hamill explains:What the delay means for the industryHow clearing will impact liquidity and other aspects of trading for firms of all sizes within the Treasury marketHow best practices learned from the clearing of swaps and other products are being applied to clearing for the massive US Treasury marketWhat kinds of risks might remain even after clearing is implementedSign up for Modern Money SmartBrief

Sponsored by ION MarketsOur road trip to the 49th annual International Futures Industry Conference has come to an end. But before we said goodbye to Boca, we touched base with Rohit Bhat, Managing Director, Capital Markets, Digital Assets, & Exchanges at Google Cloud. With cloud technology and artificial intelligence at the center of countless conversations this week, Bhat was the perfect closing guest to help us understand what the cloud can do in capital markets and separate the signal from the noise when it comes to the hype surrounding AI. We also had a little bit of fun hearing what 'Rohit's Cloud' ... aka Cloud 3.0 ... will feature and how soon it might become a reality. Sign up for the FIA SmartBrief newsletter.Sign up for Modern Money SmartBriefFollow this show on Twitter @ModernMoneyPod

Sponsored by ION MarketsWith Bitcoin soaring to new heights, the 49th annual International Futures Industyr Conference is the perfect time to check in with CoinFund President Chris Perkins. In this wide-ranging conversation, Perkins shares his insights about cryptocurrency trends and other exciting developments in decentralized finance. Perkins also explains the essentials of CoinFund's CESR periodic rate, which measures the average annualized yield awarded to all eligible validators staking ether on the Ethereum blockchain. And finally ... Perkins shares breaking news about the completion of the first fixed-floating swap using CESR.Sign up for the FIA SmartBrief newsletter.Sign up for Modern Money SmartBriefFollow this show on Twitter @ModernMoneyPod

Sponsored by ION MarketsShawn Creighton, director of index derivatives solutions at FTSE Russell, joins the show at the 49th annual International Futures Industry Conference to discuss what's happening on the ground in Boca. Creighton outlines trends in fixed income index trading, growth in digital assets and how conversations about sustainability and carbon trading differ in various regions around the world. Creighton also weighs in on the expansion of zero days to expiration (0DTE) options trading in the US, and how markets in EMEA and APAC are watching and learning from what happens in the US.Remarkably ... Creighton manages to avoid talking about AI!Sign up for the FIA SmartBrief newsletter.Sign up for Modern Money SmartBriefFollow this show on Twitter @ModernMoneyPod

Sponsored by ION MarketsIt's no surprise that an industry veteran like Chris Edmonds, president of fixed income and data services at Intercontinental Exchange, would have a few insightful (and entertaining) thoughts to share about the buzz surrounding artificial intelligence. This chat with Edmonds at the 49th annual International Futures Industry Conference features his view on where AI fits in the long history of advancements in humans' ability to compute at greater speed. Edmonds reflects on what happens when he asks people to define 'artificial intelligence' and he also sneaks in a great reference to the 1980s film "War Games" to explain how trust can go wrong when it comes to AI. How does this all relate to data trends in capital markets? Tune in and let Edmonds explain.Sign up for the FIA SmartBrief newsletter.Sign up for Modern Money SmartBriefFollow this show on Twitter @ModernMoneyPod

Sponsored by ION MarketsIf you are going to talk about cloud technology and capital markets, sooner or later you are going to end up talking about artificial intelligence. This interview from our road trip to the 49th annual International Futures Industry Conference features Magnus Haglind, SVP and head of products, marketplace technology at Nasdaq. Haglind outlines the current 'State of Play' regarding how the cloud is being utilized in capital markets and what lies ahead as firms leverage the cloud to expand their AI capabilities. If you want to learn more about how cloud technology is being put to use in markets, register to attend the following webinar on March 20, 2024:What's Next: How Firms Are Future-Proofing Operations Via The Cloud, presented by Nasdaq with Amazon Web ServicesSign up for the FIA SmartBrief newsletter.Sign up for Modern Money SmartBriefFollow this show on Twitter @ModernMoneyPod

Sponsored by ION MarketsOur road trip to the 49th annual International Futures Industry Conference continues as we hear from Ivan Han, deputy chief risk officer at SGX. While the market landscape in China is uncertain at the moment, India is catching the eye of investors and Japan is resurgent. Han explains how enhanced access to markets in Asia is helping investors manage risk within the region and around the world. Sign up for the FIA SmartBrief newsletter.Sign up for Modern Money SmartBriefFollow this show on Twitter @ModernMoneyPod

With the 49th annual International Futures Industry Conference getting underway today in Boca Raton, Florida, Futures Industry Association President and CEO Walt Lukken joins the show to offer a peek at what to anticipate at this year's gathering. Lukken previews some of the key issues that are bound to be hot topics in Boca, including US Treasury clearing, the Basel III endgame proposal and work the FIA is doing to help advance standards and modernize markets. Lukken also highlights panel sessions that he thinks will be popular among attendees, such as the 'Moneyball' session focused on what the sports world has learned from financial markets.Sign up for the daily FIA SmartBrief newsletter.Sign up for Modern Money SmartBriefFollow this show on Twitter @ModernMoneyPod

The digital transformation of financial markets has spawned incredible connectivity and efficiency, but it has also created plenty of challenges. Roland Chai, executive vice president for market technology at Nasdaq, joins the show to outline how new technologies are enhancing market resiliency -- even in the face of extreme volatility events like interest rate moves, wars, bank failures, the GameStop frenzy and the pandemic.Roland explains how investors are leveraging algorithmic trading and other technologies to manage risk in globally connected markets and he also delves into numerous other areas where Nasdaq is expanding its suite of offerings, including cryptocurrency custody and the tokenization of carbon credits. And, of course … you can't talk about technology these days without talking about artificial intelligence, so Roland covers that ground as well.Key highlightsThe impact of digitalization on markets in recent years - (5:28)Maintaining market resiliency through extreme volatility events - (9:26)How the speed of news and other information is reshaping markets - (11:02)Should the use of circuit breakers be expanded? - (13:33)Challenges presented by digital transformation - (17:43)Artificial intelligence in markets - (20:14)The people behind trading algorithms -  (24:17)Areas where Nasdaq is expanding its footprint - (26:41)Sign up for Modern Money SmartBriefFollow this show on Twitter @ModernMoneyPod

Our third  and final day of coverage of the International Futures Industry Conference … aka ... FIA Boca.And since we are closing the book on yet another Boca, we decided to continue what has become a fun tradition for this podcast when we road trip to Futures Industry Association events. We invited FIA President and CEO Walt Lukken onto the show to wrap things up and hear his thoughts on everything that was seen and heard throughout the week. Walt always does a great job of hosting FIA Boca, so we promise you'll enjoy his insights. Sign up for Modern Money SmartBriefFollow this show on Twitter @ModernMoneyPod

We're back for another day of coverage from the International Futures Industry Conference … or as it's more commonly known: FIA Boca.Day 2 just wrapped up, so here's a quick recap of some of the highlights:CFTC Chairman Rostin Behnam delivered his keynote address, during which he lauded the resiliency of global markets as they've navigated numerous crises in recent years.CoinFund President Chris Perkins joined the show for a 1-on-1 conversation about the impact the recent banking crisis has had on the startup sector and what lies ahead for digital assets. The annual panel of regulators tackled questioned related to the LME nickel situation, FTX and the overall cryptocurrency landscape.Representatives from the crypto industry weighed in with their thoughts on what the future looks like for the sector.CoinFund President Chris Perkins joined the show of a 1-on-1 conversation about the impact the recent banking crisis has had on the startup sector and what lies ahead for digital assets. Sign up for Modern Money SmartBriefFollow this show on Twitter @ModernMoneyPod

It's March ... so that means it's time for another Road Trip! This episode comes to you from sunny Boca Raton, Florida, where we're excited to bring you our second year of coverage from the International Futures Industry Conference … or as it's more commonly known: FIA Boca.The first day's events just wrapped up, so here's a quick recap of what went down here at the conference. Walt Lukken kicked things off with a recap of what has been an eventful year for the industry. In what is an annual tradition here at Boca, the leaders of some of the largest exchanges in the world took the stage for a panel discussion about news and trends that are shaping the industry.A one-on-one conversation with CFTC Commissioner Summer Mersinger to hear her insights on the hot topics at Boca.Sign up for Modern Money SmartBriefFollow this show on Twitter @ModernMoneyPod

When cloud technology was first introduced in markets, many people in the financial services sector were hesitant. There were concerns about security and even questions about overall use cases. Well, it is safe to say that things have changed. Today, the cloud is being used by finance pros in ways that would have been hard to imagine just a few short years ago.Joining me today to provide an update on the current cloud landscape in financial services is Rohit Bhat from Google Cloud. Rohit leads Google Cloud's efforts in Capital Markets, Digital Assets, and Exchanges in North America. His focus areas include technology enablers for accelerated quantitative research, pattern and anomaly detection, market data distribution, and insights-based risk and underwriting.Rohit shares his insights about how the cloud is helping finance firms tackle all manner of tasks right now, but he also shares his view on what the future of the cloud might look like. Advancements in things like machine learning and artificial intelligence mean there are a lot of incredible capabilities on the way. More resourcesLearn more about Google Cloud for Capital Markets Check out the whitepaper: Building the financial markets foundation for the future from Google CloudION Automation positively transforms the lives of people and business.Sign up for Modern Money SmartBriefFollow this show on Twitter @ModernMoneyPod

The rise of ESG investing has investors clamoring for accurate and transparent data. Larry Lawrence, Head of Sustainable Finance - US at IntercontinentalExchange (ICE), outlines the crucial role data plays in the ecosystem of sustainable finance.  Public companies have ginormous reporting obligations, so Larry and the team at ICE help organizations sort through seemingly endless reams of data to satisfy stakeholder expectations and regulatory expectations associated with ESG investing.So when you hear a company announce a bold net-zero commitment, chances are that company is relying on someone like Larry to help navigate the maze of data needed to report progress on those goals. But ICE doesn't just serve the needs of big companies with household names. When a small company – or maybe even one of the many oh-so-hot ClimateTech startups – is considering going public, Larry helps guide those businesses through the complexity of that process. With more than two decades of experience working in sustainable finance, Larry has seen trends come and go. The insights he shares on topics ranging from carbon markets and greenwashing to Know Your Data principles and the individual intricacies of the "E" the "S" and the "G" in ESG are definitely worth a listen.More resourcesUsing climate data to understand the greenhouse gas emissions reporting landscapeMFS Investment Management Do more than survive. See how we strive to make the most of changing bond markets.Sign up for Modern Money SmartBriefFollow this show on Twitter @ModernMoneyPod

If you're a business leader looking to offset the emissions from your organization's operations, how exactly do you go about doing that? And in a world where accusations of greenwashing abound, how do you offset your emissions in a transparent and responsible way? Blake Lawrence from Cool Effect joins the show to answer those questions and more. The team at Cool Effect works to use science, expertise and transparency to give organization's the confidence to purchase carbon offsets that will deliver positive results for the world around us. There are all kinds of carbon offsets -- and some of the offsets Blake describes are probably NOT what you think of when you think of carbon offsets.Blake also walks through a primer Cool Effect put together that outlines five questions every person should ask before buying carbon offsets. More resourcesCool Effect ModelSeller's PledgeOffsetting TravelBusiness Offset CalculatorMFS Investment Management Do more than survive. See how we strive to make the most of changing bond markets.Sign up for Modern Money SmartBriefFollow this show on Twitter @ModernMoneyPod

Some regulators in the world of finance take office during periods of relative market calm. Other regulators ... not so much.When Commissioner Summer Mersinger was sworn in at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in March of 2022, global markets were still dealing with the shock from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Throughout the summer, commodities markets felt the impact from geopolitical tensions, an energy crisis and other pressures. And as summer faded into fall, the energy crisis continued and headlines about a crypto winter morphed into headlines about crypto perp walks.Through it all, Commissioner Mersinger has kept her eye on the markets and brought unique insights to the CFTC and the wider regulatory ecosystem. This episode covers a lot of ground as Commissioner Mersinger offers her perspective on topics ranging from crypto and geopolitics to agriculture commodities and renewables. She even draws entertaining (and accurate) parallels between youth soccer tactics and the task of regulating some of the wildest corners of today's financial markets. Enjoy the show!MFS Investment Management Do more than survive. See how we strive to make the most of changing bond markets.Sign up for Modern Money SmartBriefFollow this show on Twitter @ModernMoneyPod

With the fallout from the meltdown of Sam Bankman-Fried and his FTX empire still unfolding in the markets, exchange leaders and other executives from the cleared derivatives industry gathered in Chicago for the annual FIA Futures & Options Expo.FIA President and CEO Walt Lukken joined the show to talk about what the collapse of FTX might mean for the future of regulation in the digital asset sector. Lukken touted the soundness of properly regulated entities (like FTX's own LedgerX) and marked the 50th anniversary of the launch of financial futures by commenting on how he thinks the industry will continue to evolve.MFS Investment Management Do more than survive. See how we strive to make the most of changing bond markets.Sign up for Modern Money SmartBriefFollow this show on Twitter @ModernMoneyPod

In 2021, there was roughly $785 billion deployed at the global level for energy transition technologies. And despite questions being asked about ESG strategies, there are still tons of financial firms that are looking to invest in green bonds and other areas of sustainable finance.Luiza Demôro, the Head of Energy Transitions at BloombergNEF, joins the show to discuss a pair of reports that the team at BNEF recently released. One is their annual Power Transition Trends 2022 report and the other is a special look at the state of clean energy funding in emerging markets and developing economies. Demôro also offers her insights on what to expect from COP27 and how the policies discussed in Egypt can reshape energy markets around the world.Demôro explains how banks and other private investors have become  more willing to deploy capital to emerging markets, but they are looking for certain country-specific and project-specific risk criteria to be met before they go all in. Demôro also offers her insights on what to expect from COP27 and how the policies discussed in Egypt can reshape energy markets around the world.MFS Investment Management Do more than survive. See how we strive to make the most of changing bond markets.Sign up for Modern Money SmartBriefFollow this show on Twitter @ModernMoneyPod

Unless you've been living under a rock for the last year or so, you've probably heard about all the money that's either already been deployed or is on its way toward funding the energy transition.  When there are billions and billions in play, it's not surprising that groups are coming together to lure capital to not only certain technologies, but also certain geographic regions.  Jane Stricker is the SVP for Energy Transition at the Greater Houston Partnership. She also serves as the Executive Director of the Houston Energy Transition Initiative. Jane and the team at HETI recently released a report from their capital formation working group, which includes some big time banks and investment firms – we're talking Blackstone, Bank of America, Citigourp, EnCap, JP Morgan and more. The report is all about capital formation and what it will take to turn Houston – yes, Houston, which of course has a long history in oil and gas – into THE destination for climate capital to fund the energy transition. More resourcesHETI's Capital Formation WhitepaperHETI's Energy Transition StrategyLearn more about the H2Houston HubMFS Investment Management Do more than survive. See how we strive to make the most of changing bond markets.Sign up for Modern Money SmartBriefFollow this show on Twitter @ModernMoneyPod

Tim McCourt, Senior Managing Director and Global Head of Equity and FX Products at CME Group, joins the show to talk about the launch of Event-based contracts. During the initial meme-stock frenzy, there were plenty of nightmare stories about retail investors getting in over their head with derivatives. Designed especially for retail traders, these new Event-based contracts are an easy-to-understand way for individuals to trade on daily up or down price moves in some of the world's most widely quoted benchmark futures markets, including the E-mini S&P 500, E-mini Nasdaq-100, E-mini Dow Jones Industrial Average, E-mini Russell 2000, crude oil, natural gas, gold, silver, copper and Euro FX.Amid all the headlines about the Ethereum "Merge," McCourt also shares some of the details about CME Group's extremely well-timed launch of options on Ether futures.Key highlights3:00 - What are Event-based contracts?5:12 - Solving a headline-grabbing problem6:57 - Which markets do these Event-based contracts cover?10:34 - A well-timed launch of Ether options12:23 - The impact of the Ethereum "Merge" on Ether optionsMore resources Learn more about Event contractsLearn more about CME Group's Ether optionsSign up for Modern Money SmartBriefFollow this show on Twitter @ModernMoneyPodION Automation positively transforms the lives of people and business.

Lauren Collins, a partner at Vinson & Elkins, joins the show to explain how the tax incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act stand to not only boost the deployment of renewable energy in the U.S., but also create new tax credit markets that might attract investment funds and retail investors. Collins also highlights one key area of the energy puzzle that the IRA has unfortunately overlooked.Key Highlights3:44 - The most important tax aspects of the bill  - PTC, ITC, Standalone Storage, Bonus credits6:00 - The new technology neutral credit regime and leveling the playing field for smaller players9:09 - Credit flexibility provisions (Direct pay and Transferability)12:20 - Bonus credits and "Stacking" (Domestic Content, Energy Community and Low-Income)17:10 - Prevailing wage provisions19:26 - What about Hydrogen, Nuclear and Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS)?23:38 - Making room for Manufacturing, Minerals and Mining tax credits26:15 - Which aspects of the IRA are overhyped?28:21 - A new industry and marketplace for tax credits and tax professionals29:30 - The 'missing piece' in the legislation30:27 - Which aspects of the legislation are flying under the radar? Transmission misses out33:30 - Bold predictions - Credit investment funds enter financial markets ... and so do retail investors!More resources from Vinson & ElkinsRenewable Reboot: A Download on the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 – Clean Energy Tax ProvisionsION Automation positively transforms the lives of people and business.

Richard Hunt has been the leading voice for consumer banking in the U.S. for 13 years, and his advocacy for the financial services industry began long before that. This week, he will step down from his role as president and CEO of the Consumer Bankers Association, but he is NOT retiring. Richard talks with us about why term limits for politicians -- and trade association heads -- are a good thing, how Washington has changed over the years, and how the smartphone transformed banking.We also get Richard's thoughts on working with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau over the years, which was established just a couple years after he took the helm at CBA,  and how he has grappled with two financial crises.Key talking points:Why it's time for a new voice at CBA (1:18)How the banking industry has evolved since the global financial crisis (3:13)How Washington has changed in the last 13 years (4:05)Differences between the 2008 crisis and the coronavirus crisis (5:09)How banks bolstered the economy through the pandemic (9:04)Working with the CFPB (10:41)How smartphones changed banking forever (14:35)What's next for Richard (16:52)

The venture capital sector had two bumper years in a row in 2020 and 2021, with record levels of fundraising, investment and exits. However, like the rest of the investing world, the market has cooled in the 2022 economy. Bobby Franklin, president and CEO of the National Venture Capital Association, talks with us about how the current economic climate is affecting the VC-startup ecosystem, and how startup leaders and investors are looking at their prospects. Bobby also talks with us about how VCs are approaching their ESG goals, which cities and regions are seeing more VC investment activity, the JOBS Act 4.0 and the push to establish a US startup visa.Key talking points:How the market conditions of 2022 have affected venture capital investment activity (0:26)Where the rising hubs for VC activity are (2:35)What sectors are likely to show strong growth going forward (4:26)How startups and VCs are looking at their prospects for going public as the IPO and SPAC markets slow to a crawl (5:58)Why VCs strongly support the establishment of a US startup visa (8:11)How the Jobs Act 4.0 would affect the VC sector (11:24)How VCs are approaching their ESG goals (13:40)The potential upside of tough times (21:11)Further listening:If you'd like to learn more about what policy initiatives are of high importance to the venture capital industry, check out NVCA's Venture Capitol podcast, hosted by Bobby. 

While the comment period for the Securities and Exchange Commission's proposed rule on climate-related disclosure has been extended into June, the proposal offers a solid hint as to how the final rulemaking might take shape. Jamie Gamble, Managing Director at PwC, and Maggie Peloso, Partner at Vinson & Elkins, join the show to dig into the details of the proposed rule and offer tips on what companies should be doing now ... yes, right now ... to prepare for the final rulemaking.Key Talking Points:What are the basics of the proposed rule (1:56) Breaking down Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions (2:38)The SEC departs a bit from "materiality" (3:23)Key nuggets of the proposed rule (4:52)Important things companies should be doing NOW to prepare (6:20)The challenge of reporting physical climate risk (8:20)Data, data and more data (10:11)The proposal is about more than just greenhouse gas emissions (12:08)A closer look at Scope 3 (13:29)The role shareholders might play in shaping the future 'materiality' (20:00)Will this rule cause companies to shy away from setting Scope 3 goals? (20:48)Navigating a new form of 'vendor risk' (22:55)Why planning ahead for this reporting matters (26:09)Will this rule change the makeup of individual boards? (30:01) More resources from Vinson & ElkinsProposed SEC Climate Disclosures: What's happening and what are the implications for companies?The SEC's Climate-Disclosures Proposed Rule – Eight Key TakeawaysMore resources from PwCSEC Climate Risk Disclosures: What it means for companies and what business leaders should do nextThe SEC wants me to disclose what? The SEC's climate disclosure proposalSign up for Modern Money SmartBriefFollow this show on Twitter @ModernMoneyPod

The term "energy transition" means different things to different people. In this episode, we focus on how "energy transition" means different things to people from different places. Michael Syn, senior managing director and head of equities at the Singapore Exchange (SGX), joins the show to talk about how markets in Asia are tackling decarbonization and the push to net-zero.Often mistaken as just one big market, individual countries and companies across Asia have a very different history with fossil fuels than their counterparts in the US and Europe.  Michael breaks down some of the innovative solutions that are in play across Asia and how global initiatives like the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) can broaden their perspectives to bring more private capital to the sustainable investing market.Michael also delves into how SGX helps Singpore lead the way in the push to net-zero by serving as a cutting-edge market for new technologies, financial products, regulatory efforts and education initiatives related to sustainability.Sign up for Modern Money SmartBriefFollow this show on Twitter @ModernMoneyPod

As corporations and countries plot their net-zero plans, carbon markets have become one of the most-talked-about components in the realm of sustainable finance. To hear more about this burgeoning corner of the markets, IncubEx Founder, President and COO Dan Scarbrough joins the show to share his insights. Dan outlines the growth carbon markets have enjoyed thus far, explains growing pains that have arisen and shares the details of a platform IncubEx is set to launch -- The Voluntary Climate Marketplace (TVCM) -- that aims to optimize the buying and trading process.Sign up for Modern Money SmartBriefFollow this show on Twitter @ModernMoneyPod

As week close out the week at the International Futures Industry Conference in Boca Raton, Florida, we're joined by a very special guest. He's easily the best person to give us a comprehensive perspective on all the events of this week. He's Walt Lukken, the President and CEO of the Futures Industry Association.Eventus Systems Shine a Light on Your Trading

We are back with  a quick recap from the second day of the International Futures Industry Conference.  Yesterday, we predicted FIA Boca was shaping up to be a "bifurcated" conference; with one track focused on tech topics like crypto and cloud computing and another track focused on geopolitics and the war in Ukraine. Spoiler alert: We were right! 

This quick recap is the first of three Colin and Sean are doing from their road trip to the International Futures Industry Conference.A month ago, it looked like the hot topics at FIA Boca would be crypto, the cloud and all things technology. But as is often the case, big news has barged its way into the conversations at Boca and now the  event is poised to be bifurcated (one of Sean's favorite market terms). Sure, there's the plenty of talk about technology ... but perhaps even more about how the industry can grapple with the impact war and geopolitics are having -- and will continue to have -- on markets.Eventus Systems Shine a Light on Your Trading

After graduating from the United States Naval Academy and serving in the US Marine Corps, Chris Perkins started his finance career at Lehman Brothers and eventually became a managing director at Citi, where he was Global Co-Head, Futures, Clearing and FX Prime Brokerage. Then, in the second half of last year, Chris left Citi to become President and Managing Partner at CoinFund.In this wide-ranging interview, Chris talks about his career pivot and the exciting promise of Web3, including how new advancements like decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) can reshape industries beyond finance. He also offers advice for other finance executives pondering similar career changes and also details the work he is doing to help military veterans transition into careers in digital assets.DAOs: What the ESG movement can learn from blockchain governanceCitadel's Ken Griffin outbids ConstitutionDAO for the US Constitution Veterans in Digital Assets -- Twitter -- PodcastChris Perkins helps lead Veterans on Wall Street - VOWSSign up for Modern Money SmartBriefFollow this show on Twitter @ModernMoneyPod

You've probably heard all about the money being poured into the energy transition. We're talking trillions of dollars over the course of many decades. Everyone from sovereign wealth funds and private equity to venture capital and institutional investors seems to be getting in on the action.Joining the show are Albert Cheung, from BloombergNEF (BNEF) and Danielle Patterson from the law firm of Vinson & Elkins. Both of their organizations recently released reports (see below) about all the capital being poured into the energy transition … where it's being spent … and who is spending it. We talk about each of those reports and also touch on how events like the war in Ukraine and the recently completed New York Bight offshore wind auction might impact the long-term outlook for renewables.BNEF: Energy Transition Investment Trends 2022V&E: How Private Capital is Shaping the Energy EvolutionSign up for Modern Money SmartBriefFollow this show on Twitter @ModernMoneyPod

From the rise of ESG and meme stocks to the fall of China's property sector, 2021 was a wild ride for the financial services industry. In the latest episode of Modern Money SmartPod, Sean McMahon and Colin Hogan look back on what we're calling the SmartBrief 7: the seven most-memorable financial news stories of the year, as we see it.Sign up for Modern Money SmartBriefThe 10 Most-Clicked Stories from Modern Money SmartBrief for 20211. "Pandora Papers" expose hidden wealth of the powerful2. Newly appointed SEC enforcement head Oh resigns3. Sen. Warren asks Fed to break up Wells Fargo 4. JPMorgan ranked as top G-SIB5. Citi loses fight to reclaim $500M lost in error6. Robinhood seeks $1B to weather trading storm7. Credit Suisse takes $4.7B Archegos loss; execs exit8. Dimon: Economy approaching "Goldilocks moment"9. China outlaws all crypto-related transactions10. Retail trading army sends hedge funds into retreatMore about ICE: Environmental, Social and Governance issues are in the spotlight. Investors need the markets, data and indices to understand how their decisions impact the planet, people and their portfolios. At ICE, we provide data, markets and analytics to help you measure performance, manage risk and connect to opportunity. Visit ice.com/connecttoesg for more information.ICE Make Sustainable Decisions

From COP26 to the boom in ESG investment funds, sustainable finance has been a hot topic in 2021. Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr., president and CEO of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) and CEO of the Global Financial Markets Association (GFMA), joins the show to discuss the crucial role capital markets will continue to play in efforts to decarbonize the global economy. On the heels of GFMA's 2nd Annual Global Capital Markets Sustainable Finance Conference earlier this week, Bentsen outlines the regulatory landscape for sustainable finance and explains how voluntary and compliance carbon markets are a key part of the energy transition. Bentsen also notes how securitization could boost the build out of more renewable energy projects. More resourcesEmail AFME at events@afme.eu to be sent login details to watch an on-demand replay of GFMA's 2nd Annual Global Capital Markets Sustainable Finance ConferenceUnlocking the Potential of Carbon Markets to Achieve Global Net ZeroSIFMA's Comment Letter on the Department of Labor's recent ESG-related proposalSign up for SIFMA SmartBriefSign up for GFMA SmartBriefMore about ICE: Environmental, Social and Governance issues are in the spotlight. Investors need the markets, data and indices to understand how their decisions impact the planet, people and their portfolios. At ICE, we provide data, markets and analytics to help you measure performance, manage risk and connect to opportunity. Visit ice.com/connecttoesg for more information.ICE Make Sustainable Decisions

Social media, corporate websites, word-of-mouth ... It's the Wild West out there for consumers in search of ESG investment data. Craig Martin, Managing Director and Global Head of Wealth & Lending Intelligence at J.D. Power, shares the key takeaways from a survey his team conducted about where consumers seek ESG data and how they prioritize various ESG topics. Which aspects of environmental, social and governance practices are nice-to-have ... and which ones are non-negotiable?Craig also explains how the lack of standardization when it comes to ESG data and the absence of trusted and reliable sources represents an opportunity for financial advisors, who might be able to enhance the service they provide by helping clients separate the green from the greenwashing.More resourcesJ.D. Power - When It Comes to Corporate Environmental, Social and Governance Efforts, Americans are Searching for AnswersSign up for Modern Money SmartBriefListen to the Renewable Energy SmartPodMore about ICE: Environmental, Social and Governance issues are in the spotlight. Investors need the markets, data and indices to understand how their decisions impact the planet, people and their portfolios. At ICE, we provide data, markets and analytics to help you measure performance, manage risk and connect to opportunity. Visit ice.com/connecttoesg for more information.ICE Make Sustainable Decisions

There's no better way to gain an understanding of the types of conversations that took place at COP26 than to talk to someone who was there. Gordon Bennett, Managing Director of Utility Markets for ICE, was in Glasgow and he joins the show to talk about the role financial markets can play in achieving some of the goals that were laid out at the conference. And unlike so many of the concepts discussed in Glasgow, Gordon says the tools financial markets can offer already exist. Net zero was a huge topic at the COP and Gordon explains why carbonomics and the pricing of externalities -- both negative and positive externalities -- are essential to the energy transition. With carbon pricing being lauded in Glasgow by the likes of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and HRH Prince Charles, Gordon says global carbon trading markets -- like those addressed in the final text of Article 6 at COP26 -- are an example of ways markets and data can help companies and economies establish the necessary pricing mechanisms to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable future.More resourcesArticle 6 text on global carbon markets finalized at COP26Sign up for Modern Money SmartBriefListen to the Renewable Energy SmartPodMore about ICE: Environmental, Social and Governance issues are in the spotlight. Investors need the markets, data and indices to understand how their decisions impact the planet, people and their portfolios. At ICE, we provide data, markets and analytics to help you measure performance, manage risk and connect to opportunity. Visit ice.com/connecttoesg for more information.ICE Make Sustainable Decisions

This episode is presented by: ICEWith so much finance-related news coming from COP26, Maggie Peloso, a partner at Vinson & Elkins, joins the show to help us make sense of how the talks in Glasgow will shape the future of ESG investing and disclosure. Topics like the progress made on the launch of the International Sustainability Standards Board and the $130 trillion pledge from the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero are on the table. We also discuss how the public perception of the term "net zero" has undergone a transformation since COP26 began.More resources:More legal insights from Maggie PelosoMaggie's appearance on the Renewable Energy SmartPodSign up for Modern Money SmartBriefMore about ICE: Environmental, Social and Governance issues are in the spotlight. Investors need the markets, data and indices to understand how their decisions impact the planet, people and their portfolios. At ICE, we provide data, markets and analytics to help you measure performance, manage risk and connect to opportunity. Visit ice.com/connecttoesg for more information.ICE Make Sustainable Decisions

This episode is presented by ICE.  Finance is gonna play a key role in how the world tackles climate change -- so much so that an entire day at the United Nations COP26 will focus on nothing but Finance. We thought our first show should feature someone who knows the ins and outs of Finance and the ins and outs of the UN's climate and sustainability agenda.Simon Puleston Jones has spent years working in finance - both inside individual firms and as a representative for the wider industry - but he also paused his financial services career to launch a social platform that focused specifically on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Simon recently helped found a new company, Climate Solutions, so he is now operating at the intersection of finance and climate investing. Simon explains how COP26 might influence the flow of capital aimed at tackling the climate crisis. Simon also explains the educational journey taking place around ESG and impact investing.Sign up for Modern Money SmartBriefListen to the Renewable Energy SmartPodMore about ICE: Environmental, Social and Governance issues are in the spotlight. Investors need the markets, data and indices to understand how their decisions impact the planet, people and their portfolios. At ICE, we provide data, markets and analytics to help you measure performance, manage risk and connect to opportunity. Visit ice.com/connecttoesg for more information.ICE Make Sustainable Decisions

From the team that produces Modern Money SmartBrief -- and more than 40 other newsletters for some of the most influential organizations in Finance -- it's the Modern Money SmartPod.The term "Modern Money" means different things to different people, so co-hosts Colin Hogan and Sean McMahon will be bringing you news and interviews from every corner of the financial services world. From securities, futures and options, to venture capital, asset management and consumer banking, there is a lot of ground to cover. This podcast will feature insights from key policymakers and C-suite executives from leading financial services firms. We'll also hear from experts about how the way money moves is evolving rapidly -- on Wall Street AND Main Street.If you're looking for a fun and informative podcast that focuses specifically on the people, technologies and trends that are driving the future of financial services … this is it!