Speed Is Solved. Certainty Is Not - The Hidden Risk Layer Behind Modern Financial Markets

In this episode of Financial Markets iNSiGHTS, host Tina Kane speaks to Kevin Formby, VP of Finance and Capital Markets Solutions at Keysight Technologies, about the growing importance of observability, precision measurement and time accuracy in modern trading infrastructure.

They explore how, despite ever-increasing speed and shrinking latency, many firms still don’t have a full picture or understanding of what is happening inside their systems. Kevin explains why measuring speed - rather than latency-related outcomes - creates an “illusion of control,” and how hidden inefficiencies across complex, fragmented infrastructures can impact performance, fairness and resilience. 

The conversation delves into the application in financial markets of ultra-precise time synchronisation technologies developed originally for “rocket science”, defence and  telecommunications industries, reinforcing why firms must move beyond speed as a primary metric to a broader focus on visibility, determinism and trust. 

As markets evolve toward greater automation, continuous trading and tighter regulatory scrutiny, the depth with which market participants can see measure and explain system behaviours will be an increasing competitive and operational advantage.