In conjunction with the Chicago Bar Association’s Futures & Derivatives Law Committee, Financial and Emerging Technology Committee and Regulatory & Compliance Committee, Mayer Brown invites you to a fireside chat with Leo Melamed, Chairman Emeritus of the CME Group. CLE credit will be provided. Thursday, May 23, 2019 3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Registration 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Program 4:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception Location Mayer Brown 71 South Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60606 +1 312 782 0600 Register HERE

U.S.-China Trade War: The Perils of Escalation Any failure of the US and China to amicably resolve their festering trade war could have serious consequences for the world’s two largest economies. Click Here for Full Article  

by Melinda Schramm Last week I had the pleasure of speaking at the annual meeting of the Association of Futures Markets (AFM). AFM is trade association open to exchanges, clearing houses, traders and other industry participants whose objective is to promote and encourage the establishment of new derivative and related markets. AFM accomplishes its mission through international conferences at which members strengthens their relationships by sharing information and experiences. Speakers at last week’s meeting included Dr. Richard Sandor, Leo Melamed, John Lothian, Terry Duffy and myself. Topics ranged from the changing landscape of derivatives to FinTech in the exchange space..

Our DePaul University annual joint symposium is always standing-room-only–make your reservations today. This year’s program includes: • Armchair chat with an industry icon • The state of Managed Business • Issue Briefings – three 15-min presentation on the hottest topics in: 1. Regulation – The NFA 2. Marketing – 16Wells 3. Product – CME Group Of course, there will be plenty of time for networking and catching-up with old friends and colleagues throughout the afternoon and at the closing reception on the outdoor terrace at DePaul’s downtown Chicago campus. Registration is open now. Questions, suggestions – John Roe, event chair,.

May – National Burger Month Mint Juleps NIBA welcomes new members TriNet and Coquest Advisors, LLC, both in the Service Provider category. May has proven to be a busy month — micro e-mini futures launched at the CME Group and appear to be well received. ICE Futures US announced it will begin trading Bakkt-developed bitcoin futures in mid-summer. During the month several notable market commented on the state and future of the industry, including with regard to cybersecurity and competition: – Louis Rosato, BlackRock Investment Operations Group at SIFMA in Boca Raton, FL, “optimal cybersecurity comes from combining human ingenuity.