Clear Markets

About Clear Markets

Clear Markets operates as a developer and operator of electronic marketplaces and trading technologies, with a focus on complex financial instruments. Founded in 2012, the company provides electronic trading systems for complex fixed income and credit derivatives to clients in major global financial centers, including Tokyo, London, New York, and its headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The management team at Clear Markets is composed of pioneers from the interest rate swap market, bringing a deep understanding of the legal, regulatory, and technological evolution of swaps trading from voice to electronic platforms. Shawn A. Dorsch, the founder, serves as Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer. His extensive background includes co-founding Blackbird Holdings, which operated the first electronic trading system for interest rate swaps, and roles at First Union Bank and J.P. Morgan & Co. in Tokyo and New York.

The company's core business revolves around providing a multi-asset electronic trading platform for over-the-counter derivatives. It serves a global client base of both U.S. and non-U.S. participants across Asia, Europe, and North America. The business model is centered on offering a robust and flexible trading infrastructure without requiring capital investment from clients. Revenue is likely generated through transaction fees, platform access, or a combination of both, typical for electronic marketplaces in the financial software industry.

The Clear Markets platform supports multiple trading protocols, including Request for Quote (RFQ) and Central Limit Order Book (CLOB), and handles various functionalities like click-to-trade, limit orders, and roll trading. It is designed for multi-asset trading, initially focusing on interest rate swaps and expanding to include interest rate futures. Key features of the service include a bilingual interface, intelligent safeguards, and connectivity to both internal and third-party systems, emphasizing ease of use, transparency, and cost efficiencies for its users. The company holds necessary regulatory approvals to operate in its key markets.