Questions & Answers

We have taken some of the most frequent questions about TRAX and listed them with answers below, if you require any additional information or assistance, do not hesitate to contact a member of our commercial operations team.

Please note for the latest information and assistance on TRAX please visit www.xtrakter.com this site will be phased out in due course.

How do I contact someone to find out about TRAX2?

To speak to someone about TRAX could not be easier. Simply contact any member of our commercial operations department by e-mailing TRAX@xtrakter.com or by calling +44 20 7538 5656, faxing +44 20 7538 4902 or writing to TRAX Commercial Operations, Xtrakter, 7 Limeharbour, London E14 9NQ.

What is TRAX?

TRAX is a post trade, pre settlement & regulatory confirmation system for the OTC markets. It allows users to match and report trades in a range of capital market instruments (such as bonds, derivatives, equities, swaps and much more), it also allows trading firms to verify their trades (confirmations), report to relevant regulators (reporting) and allows subscribers to comply with a number of market regulations and best practices (compliance). It also has a new extensive repo functionality allowing users to fully match their repo trades.

Who operates TRAX?

TRAX is operated by Xtrakter is a leading provider of operational risk management, trade matching, regulatory reporting and data services to the global capital market. It has an established track record in providing innovative, secure and reliable systems for the financial services sector.

Formerly known as ICMA Ltd it was established in 1985 and was one of the first providers of secure trade matching and regulatory reporting systems for the over the counter (OTC) market.

Is TRAX difficult to install?

No, TRAX has been designed for easy implementation. Our dedicated personnel are able to ensure a speedy, efficient and timely delivery. TRAX offers internet connectivity.

Will TRAX be supplied with consultant services?

Our consultants are experts in their field and have years of experience of working with TRAX, they are available to all system users. However if a client would like the system to be implemented by their own team we can make arrangements to suit.

Does TRAX have a help desk?

Yes, Xtrakter operates with a dedicated helpline. Should you ever need to speak to a professional support technician they are only a phone call away.

How much does TRAX cost?

Subscriptions:

Annual subscription Per subscriber not connecting via the internet 4,000 GBP

Annual subscription Per subscriber connecting via the internet or per additional subscriber code* 2,000 GBP.

Trade matching / Transaction reporting costs:

Xtrakter offers TRAX users a tiered pricing structure that is very cost effective.

Xtrakter has designed the TRAX system to be flexible to meet the varying needs of firms operating in the international capital market. The higher the volume of trade matches/ transaction reporting that you process through TRAX the lower your individual costs will be.

Can TRAX be incorporated into our back office?

YES, TRAX has been designed to facilitate Straight Through Processing (STP) and the ability to only key once. It is available as middleware and is fully capable of interfacing with a variety of back office systems.

Please note: for more niche firms the system can be accessed as a separate platform if you do not have an extensive back office system. This allows you to directly interface with the system if required.

What instruments can be processed by TRAX?

TRAX can process capital market instruments including money market instruments in credit markets, equity instruments, insurance instruments, foreign-exchange instruments, hybrid instruments, derivative instruments, negotiable certificates of deposits, commercial paper, bankers' acceptances, repurchase agreements, eurocurrency deposits, eurocurrency loans, futures instruments, options instruments, corporate and sovereign bonds and more...

What security features does TRAX have?

TRAX has SSL encryption and user authentication. The authentication mechanism used in TRAX allows you to know that the trade matching information that you are entering is only being sent to an authenticated counterparty and that the advisory trade notifications that you are receiving are, likewise, received from an authenticated source.

Can TRAX show me unresolved trades?

Yes, TRAX is designed to allow users to easily review unresolved trades and to make amendments to them. Why should something as simple as a duration, deposit source, instrument type require the entire transaction to be re-entered, simply amend the listing and re-enter the trade as a new one.

Can TRAX provide me with Trade verifications?

Yes, Xtrakters state of the art verification system means that for every trade matched, you will be issued with a verification notice instantly. This rapid confirmation process means that your firm is assured of a trade match and reduces your trade settlement risk.

Does TRAX assist me in reporting to my financial regulator/competent authority?

Yes, TRAX is perfectly designed for reporting to a number of regulators (also known as competent authorities). The system is designed to allow users to report their transactions to relevant authorities efficiently and cost effectively.

How can TRAX help me with Operational Risk Management?

TRAX is designed to assist all users with operational risk. The system provides users with a stable and proven trading environment, TRAX allows users the ability to track, monitor, review and amend unresolved trades, allowing firms to reduce the level of unresolved trades and increase their level of pre settlement trade matching.

Is TRAX designed for the repo market?

YES, TRAX has been designed specifically with the repurchase (repo) market in mind. The market, European Repo Council wanted a new system that allowed them full repo confirmation and as a result Xtrakter delivered TRAX version 2. The system caters for every type of repo from the very short term right through to medium and longer term repo trades thus helping your firm to operate at T+1 basis where possible.