FPGA Usage in Trading Systems

Bras Patta explains how FPGAs are used in high-frequency trading systems to achieve low latency and deterministic performance.

Qube Research & Technologies Bras Patta, Quantitative Technology Director This talk provides an overview of FPGA usage in trading systems, highlighting their critical role in achieving low latency and deterministic performance. We will explore two representative application examples that illustrate how FPGAs are leveraged to accelerate key components in trading workflows. For each example, we will discuss the underlying architectural choices and examine the technical trade-offs involved, such as latency versus resource utilization, and flexibility versus determinism. The presentation will also delve into the unique challenges of developing FPGA solutions in the fast-paced and highly regulated financial environment, including development time constraints, and the need for rigorous validation.