August 2021

Resilience is one of the defining traits of the securities industry. Over the decades, amid downturns, spirited debates, moments of crisis and, most recently, volatile markets and physical separation, our space has consistently adapted and moved forward better than it was before. This resilience will be a theme at STA’s 88th Annual Market Structure Conference, scheduled for October 6-8 in Washington DC, which we have titled “The Great Return.”

This year's conference will be presented as a hybrid event, with keynotes, firesides and panel discussions will presenting before a live audience and livestreamed out to virtual-one.

Our yearly presence in DC and long-term engagement with the regulators and politicians who oversee the industry mean these individuals have always had a strong presence at our conference, and this year will be no different. The program will include SEC Commissioner Allison Herren Lee, who will provide updates on her work at the commission and share her views on the events of the past year.

It's safe to say that a lot has happened since last year’s conference – and that’s putting aside the continued disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic and remote work environments. The industry has seen several key developments that point to the growing influence of people and firms that don’t necessarily match the description of a typical market participant. That includes the explosion of digital assets. This asset class was already growing at a rapid pace, but the sudden surge of mainstream cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which crested above $60,000 in the spring, represents the excitement that exists in this industry.

Meanwhile, the growing impact of the self-directed retail investment community is another example of how our industry is experiencing change through the continued democratization of our markets. A recent survey from Charles Schwab found that 15% of all current self-directed retail investors began trading in 2020, and their market impact will only continue to grow as more firms build tools to empower individuals. This dynamic has led to some unexpected events, such as the rise of “meme stocks” like GameStop and AMC, as well as mainstream discussion of who our markets serve, how they do it and how they can be improved. Dan Gallagher, Chief Legal Officer at Robinhood, and Doug Cifu, CEO at Virtu Financial, will both appear, among others, at the conference to offer their views on the growing retail impact.

In addition to the most pressing industry topics, the Friday morning program will feature a number of philanthropic initiatives, including a charity run/walk around the National Mall, the presentation of our Big Heart of Charity Awards and our first-ever panel on leveraging your job to make an impact on your community. It will also include a presentation from the co-founders of Greenwood Project, STA’s 2021 charity designee, which introduces Black and Latinx students to careers within the financial industry.

Registration is based on whether you are attending in person or virtually. Please take a moment to understand our cancellation policy and Washington DC Mayor's Order 2021-097 on the resumption of mask requirements.

Information on the program and how to register can found below

Honorable J. Christopher Giancarlo

The CFTC’s regulatory oversight authority, as well as the application of our enforcement authority, must be well understood by the public. Only then can proper regulatory compliance be demanded. The recent growth in popularity of crypto products and other digital assets has drawn much attention to the question of how this new financial asset class is regulated in the United States.

A diversity of cloud computing models is transforming how broker-dealers operate, with the potential to enhance agility, efficiency, resiliency and security within firms’ operations, while also highlighting the importance for firms to consider relevant regulatory factors for maintaining investor protection and market integrity, according to a new research report from FINRA.

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced open data enhancements that provide public access to financial statements and other disclosures made by publicly traded companies on its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system. The SEC is releasing for the first time Application Programming Interfaces that aggregate financial statement data, making corporate disclosures quicker and easier for developers and third-party services to use.

Thanks to all who sponsored and attended last week's STAC Golf Outing at Ridgemoor Country Club!

September 9-10

Four Seasons Resort and Convention Center

September 9-10

Capital City Club in Brookhaven & Wolf Creek Golf Club

September 14

Dallas Security Traders Association is putting more efforts to coordinate with retail brokerage firms like Fidelity, Charles Schwab and TD Ameritrade, according to Steve Capurso, President, DSTA. “These firms have a large and expanding presence in our community. We want to make sure their employees can see the benefits of DSTA as well, both locally, and as a part of the national organization,” he said.

Women in business and finance face certain biases and disadvantages in negotiations. They can be criticized for being “aggressive,” a trait that is often praised in men. Consequently, women can be less likely to negotiate. This article highlights a recent Security Traders Association's Women in Finance Webinar hosted by Joe Holt, Professor at the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame, explaining how women can leverage their skills and advantages in negotiation.