TONIC BOOM

TONIC BOOM

This is TONIC BOOM! A podcast series brought to you by Tonic, the consultancy dedicated to giving Financial Markets firms MORE...Join our host, our resident expert ninjas and special industry guests as we drop the mic on everything from margin, post-trade, treasury, risk, and compliance, to sustainability and the decentralised finance landscape - all on a global scale. Are you ready for a dose of industry tonic?

Episodes

  1. 10: ICE Clear Credit Treasury Clearing Offering

    JAN 22

    10: ICE Clear Credit Treasury Clearing Offering

    Please note: this episode was recorded towards the end of 2025. Since recording, ICE is now operationally live for US Treasury clearing and is currently awaiting final regulatory approval.  This episode is hosted by Tonic’s CEO Chris Watts, alongside Tonic’s clearing and collateral specialist Philip Forkan. They’re joined by Helen Fermor, COO of ICE Clear US, to unpack one of the most significant regulatory developments to hit global markets in recent years: US Treasury clearing.  It’s a great opportunity to hear directly from a market leader at the centre of one of the most dynamic and consequential changes underway in global capital markets.  With the SEC mandate set to fundamentally change how the world’s largest government bond market operates, the discussion explores why expanded clearing has become a regulatory priority, how the industry has responded so far, and what market participants need to be thinking about as compliance deadlines approach.  Drawing on ICE’s deep experience operating systemically important clearing houses, Helen shares insight into ICE’s treasury clearing offering, including its agency-style model, approach to customer access, margin flexibility, and risk management - and how this differs from existing clearing solutions.  You’ll hear:  • Why US Treasury clearing is central to reducing systemic risk and improving market transparency • How ICE’s agency-style clearing model expands execution choice and access to liquidity • What margin, collateral, and account structure options firms need to evaluate • The technology, onboarding, and documentation challenges firms should address now • Why early adoption can unlock liquidity, capital efficiency, and operational resilience  Whether you’re a dealer, buy-side firm, principal trading firm, or clearing broker, this episode offers practical insight into how Treasury market structure is evolving — and how to prepare for a cleared future.  If US Treasury clearing is on your 2025–2027 roadmap, this is one you won’t want to miss.  00:00 - Introduction 01:02 - Why Treasury Clearing Matters  01:40 - Guest Introduction 03:39 - Industry Update: Treasury Clearing Mandate 10:35 - ICE’s Approach vs. Other CCPs  16:49 - What Makes ICE’s Model Different? 29:56 - The Home Stretch For Treasury Clearing 34:01 - Conclusion

    35 min
  2. 9: Digital Collateral – A Resilience Game Changer?

    08/26/2025

    9: Digital Collateral – A Resilience Game Changer?

    This episode is hosted by Tonic’s CEO Chris Watts, alongside Head of Digital Steven Czarnota. They’re joined by Kelly Mathieson (Chief Business Development Officer at Digital Asset) to explore the transformative potential of digital collateral and DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology) in building resilience across capital markets.Using real-world case studies - including the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, COVID-19 market shocks, and the 2022 UK LDI crisis - the team unpacks how legacy infrastructure amplified stress and how digital solutions might have changed the outcome.You’ll hear:• How DLT can deliver real-time collateral visibility and enhance market stability• Why smart contracts and tokenization reduce reconciliation and operational risk• The future role of tokenized physical assets like gold in meeting liquidity needs• How intraday mobility and tokenized MMFs could reshape margin management• The importance of interoperability across DLT platforms, including the Canton networkWhether you’re navigating today’s challenges or preparing for the next market stress event, this episode offers practical insights into how digital infrastructure can unlock stronger, more resilient markets.If you’re not already exploring DLT and tokenized assets - this is your polite nudge to start.00:00 Introduction00:59 Topic Introduction: Digital Collateral – A Resilience Game Changer?02:12 Guest Introductions04:43 Segment: Two Truths, One Lie06:37 2008 Global Financial Crisis16:44 COVID-19 Pandemic24:02 2022 UK Gilt Crisis33:12 Impact of DLT and Tokenization38:41 Conclusion

    38 min
  3. 7: Cost Optimisation Evolution – Part 1

    07/10/2025

    7: Cost Optimisation Evolution – Part 1

    In this episode of TonicBoom!, host Emma Watson Tonic’s Securities Finance Lead is joined by industry experts Andrew Turvey (GLMX) and Steve Lethaby (Clearstream Banking) to unpack one of the most critical themes in today’s capital markets: driving efficiency in Securities Financing. From the evolution of repo markets post-GFC, to the ongoing digitization and regulatory pressures shaping today’s landscape, this episode explores what cost optimization truly means in securities lending and repo—and why it’s about much more than just cutting costs. You’ll hear:- Why the shift from legacy systems to scalable, tech-enabled solutions is accelerating -How buy-side and sell-side collaboration is unlocking new opportunities-The role of regulation, margin, and operational risk in shaping future strategy-The growing impact of central clearing and the road to T+1 in the UK and Europe- The shift in market risk from banks to shadow banking and NBFIs Whether you're a seasoned industry veteran or newcomer, this is your front-row seat to the strategies and structural shifts defining the next phase of Securities Financing. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll dive deeper into technology, collateral optimization, and emerging challenges and solutions. 00:00 Episode Intro 02:17 Two Lies, One Truth Challenge05:37 Market's Focus on Cost Optimisation06:50 Impact of the Global Financial Crisis10:10 Where the Market Stands Today15:02 Future Directions in Securities Financing17:52 Episode Conclusion and Outro

    18 min
  4. 6: Redefining Collateral Mobility

    06/02/2025

    6: Redefining Collateral Mobility

    In this episode, Tonic CEO Chris Watts is joined by Head of Collateral Philip Forkan and guests from HQLAx - Erica De Rosa and Martin O’Connell, to explore how distributed ledger technology (DLT) is reshaping the collateral landscape in global capital markets. Together they take a practical look at the inefficiencies facing today’s collateral ecosystem and how digital innovation is driving real improvements in mobility, liquidity, and operational resilience. Key Highlights:  The global collateral market is worth in the realm of over €24 trillion, but fragmentation and inefficiencies create significant cost and risk.  Europe’s complex web of custodians and agents presents major challenges for interoperability and real-time settlement.  With the move toward T+1 and T+0 settlement cycles, the need for faster, more flexible collateral mobility has become urgent.  Use cases discussed include intraday liquidity, cross-custodian optimization, and digital margin transfers to CCPs.  Advice for firms looking to begin their digital transformation: start with a focused business case, identify the right internal stakeholders, and build momentum from there.  Also featuring a light-hearted round of “Two Truths and a Lie” - this time with unexpected celebrity encounters. If you're exploring how digital solutions can streamline your collateral operations, this episode offers both insight and inspiration. 00:00 Episode Intro 02:55 Two Truths, One Lie Challenge05:19 Why is Collateral Playing Such a Significant Role?10:50 What Does HQLAx Do?16:22 Buy-Side and HQLAx19:20 Maximum Optimisation20:52 What Should Firms Be Thinking About Doing?23:08 Episode Conclusion and Outro

    24 min

About

This is TONIC BOOM! A podcast series brought to you by Tonic, the consultancy dedicated to giving Financial Markets firms MORE...Join our host, our resident expert ninjas and special industry guests as we drop the mic on everything from margin, post-trade, treasury, risk, and compliance, to sustainability and the decentralised finance landscape - all on a global scale. Are you ready for a dose of industry tonic?