BATS Global Markets (BATS) is to acquire Hotspot FX, an institutional spot foreign exchange market, in a cash transaction valued at USD365 million.
Closing is expected in the first half of 2015, and represents further expansion into non-equity trading businesses for BATS as it enters the world’s largest asset class. Turnover for the global FX market was estimated at USD5.3 trillion in 2013.
Joe Ratterman, Chief Executive Officer of BATS, says: “Hotspot is an innovative foreign exchange leader which will become an important part of our expanding global footprint, and we are excited to welcome their highly-regarded team to BATS Global Markets. Their FX expertise and reputation, along with our technology excellence and global presence, will make for a powerful combination and enable us to have a meaningful and significant impact on the direction of the FX market in the years to come.”
BATS President Chris Concannon says: “We look forward to leveraging the Hotspot team and distribution network with the BATS core philosophy of making markets more efficient, transparent, and competitive as we seize the many growth opportunities the FX market has to offer.”
Daniel Coleman, Chief Executive Officer of KCG, says: “After conducting a thorough and competitive process, it became clear that BATS is the right strategic partner for Hotspot, as well as its clients and employees. BATS and Hotspot share a commitment to technological excellence. This, coupled with the experience, resources and insights derived from operating global multi-asset class markets, ensures that BATS is well positioned to further accelerate Hotspot’s growth.”
Hotspot’s average daily volume in the fourth quarter was USD31.7 billion, an increase of about 20% from the first half of 2014. The company’s customer base includes more than 220 banks, market makers, hedge funds and institutions.
