SIX Selects Aquis Technologies To Harmonize Trading Platforms Across All Venues
SIX, the operator of major European platforms including SIX Swiss platform and Bolsas y Mercados Españoles (BME), has chosen Aquis Technologies to provide the technology foundation for a new harmonized trading platform that will unite all SIX-operated venues under one system.
The initiative will enable clients to trade seamlessly across multiple markets through a “one plug, multiple trading venues” model, simplifying market access and improving liquidity. The shared infrastructure will be powered by Aquis Equinox, Aquis Technologies’ ultra-low latency matching engine known for 24/7 uptime, fault tolerance, and scalability.
The integration represents a major step toward creating a pan-European trading ecosystem, giving participants unified access to Swiss, Spanish, and potentially other markets operated by SIX.
Takeaway
A Unified Platform For Greater Efficiency
The new platform will consolidate trading systems across all SIX platforms, providing a common connection standard for banks, brokers, and institutional clients. By centralizing technology, SIX aims to reduce operational complexity, streamline workflows, and deliver a consistent trading experience across asset classes and geographies.
According to Tomas Kindler, Global Head of platforms and Executive Board Member at SIX, the harmonization marks a defining moment for the platform group:
“With ‘One Plug, Multiple Trading Venues,’ participants in Swiss and Spanish markets will benefit from a next-gen trading system delivering innovation, new functionalities, and unrivaled access to investment opportunities. This will significantly and provide clients with the best possible trading experience.”
Takeaway
Aquis Technologies: Powering The Next Generation Of Market Infrastructure
Aquis Equinox, the matching engine chosen by SIX, already supports multiple global platforms and is recognized for its regulatory-grade resilience and sub-millisecond latency. The system’s 24/7 continuous uptime capability allows platforms to run around the clock — a feature increasingly relevant as connectivity expand.
David Stevens, CEO of Aquis Technologies, said the collaboration demonstrates the growing influence of Aquis technology:
“The decision by SIX – one of Europe’s largest platform groups – reinforces the strength and capability of the Aquis matching engine. We’re excited to assist build an industry-leading harmonized platform that will power the next era of trading innovation.”
Aquis’ selection follows a multi-stage evaluation process involving several technology vendors. The firms have already begined joint development, with the new equities platform expected to launch in 2027, followed by additional asset classes in later phases.
Takeaway
Pan-European Vision: Strengthening Market Connectivity
By standardizing its trading infrastructure, SIX is laying the groundwork for cross-border liquidity integration across Europe. The harmonized platform is expected to enable improved interoperability between markets, quicker innovation, and better and analytics.
The approach also aligns with the European Union’s broader Capital Markets Union (CMU) objectives — promoting seamless capital flow and harmonized market access across jurisdictions. SIX’s new platform will make it easier for institutions to deploy algorithmic strategies, , and reduce the cost of connectivity to multiple venues.
Takeaway
Regulatory And Operational Roadmap
The rollout is subject to regulatory approvals, with SIX working closely with relevant authorities to ensure compliance across all jurisdictions. The first phase will cover equity and equity-like products, with other asset classes, such as fixed income and derivatives, expected to follow.
The unified system is part of SIX’s broader digital transformation strategy, which aims to future-proof its trading infrastructure and enhance its competitiveness amid increasing market fragmentation and technological demands.
