IPC, a leading global provider of secure, compliant communications and networking solutions for the financial markets community, today announced that it continues to grow its equity derivatives marketplace with the addition of the MIAX Options Exchange (MIAX Options) to the IPC Financial Markets Network. MIAX Options is a fully automated electronic options exchange for the trading of OCC issued standardised options on equities and ETFs.

Options play a significant role in risk mitigation, particularly tail risk management, since they can potentially generate substantial returns in times of market duress. The recent volatility in the markets and increasing frequency of black swan events are stoking demand among institutional investors, asset managers, hedge funds and dealers for trading options on equities and ETFs. Reliable and secure connectivity throughout the trade lifecycle and access to an established ecosystem of market participants continue to be pivotal in trading of derivatives in the current market environment.

“MIAX Options is pleased to become part of the network of trading venues offered by IPC to its clients,” said Douglas M. Schafer Jr., Chief Information Officer and EVP at MIAX Options.  “IPC’s ability to provide efficient and reliable access to the MIAX Options markets enables its clients to take advantage of the unique functionality, protections and industry leading performance MIAX Options has brought to the equity derivatives marketplace.”

“It is our mission to provide the global buy-side community with reliable and secure access to liquidity venues so that they can successfully generate alpha, manage beta, diversify and protect portfolios,” said David Brown, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Financial Markets Network, IPC. “We are excited to welcome MIAX Options to our flourishing equity derivatives ecosystem.”

The IPC Financial Markets Network service portfolio includes the Connexus Financial Extranet, Direct Connect and MPLS WAN data services, as well as Trader and Enhanced Voice connectivity services. IPC’s Financial Markets Network interconnects global financial centers and allows access to more than 6,000 market participant locations across 700 cities in more than 60 countries.