Interdealer broker Icap has introduced a service offering Internet access to its electronic currency trading platform EBS.
Previously traders could only access the platform via a dedicated EBS keypad.
Icap says its new EBS Global Access service, which was launched earlier this week, enables traders to use the Internet to connect to the same global liquidity pool and counterparty community as traditional keypad access, with virtually immediate deployment time.
The new service utilises the existing EBS global architecture but requires no dedicated hardware at the customer site. Icap says the launch marks the conclusion of a four-month beta testing period, involving more than 10 institutions.
David Rutter, deputy CEO, Icap electronic broking, says as the global FX, NDF and precious metals markets continue to grow "it is vital that we reach out to new customer groups in new regions".
"EBS Global Access broadens access to the EBS global liquidity pool and allows us to expand our full service product offering to reach participants that we may not have been able to reach before," says Rutter.