The U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) says it’s suspending a planned financial industry consultation on the issue of wholesale market data, given the challenge of dealing with Brexit.
In a statement, the FCA said it has decided to postpone its policy initiative “to allow firms to focus more time on EU withdrawal.”
The FCA said that it remains committed to launching policy work in this area in the future but that, for now, it’s “mindful of the resources” that firms that would ordinarily participate in its consultation are dedicating to Brexit preparations.
Nevertheless, the FCA said it remains concerned about the impacts of the evolving business of market data.
“There is rapid and wide-ranging innovation in data in wholesale markets,” it said. “Firms’ ability to gather and analyse data has grown tremendously in scope and in speed, with a corresponding increase in the value of data. This promises very significant benefits through the availability of more efficient, comprehensive and timely data for wholesale market participants.”
At the same time, the FCA said that this innovation also creates new risks that may require regulatory intervention.
“Innovation could increase barriers to access, including timely access, to data, and favour larger or incumbent firms, weakening competition. Some firms may be able to exploit market power as providers of critical data or data analytical tools,” it said.
The FCA said it will still undertake work to identify possible harms associated with the rise in wholesale market data.