Interoperability is the key to today’s trading landscape
Energy and commodity markets are growing faster, more interconnected, and more complex than ever before. As firms scale their trading operations, diversify portfolios, and navigate new regulatory demands, one idea keeps rising to the top: interoperability.
During a live-streamed panel at LEADers Summit 2025, a cross-section of leaders in energy trading and technology gathered to explore how interoperability is evolving from a technical challenge to a strategic imperative.
The panel featured Andrea Remyn Stone, CEO of Zema Global, alongside Asbjørn Hansen (Previse Systems), Francisco Marin (Cube Logic), Rob Palmer (Equias), Raj Anandanesan (e*star), and Simeon Valchev (LEAD Consult). Together, they brought perspectives spanning trading infrastructure, analytics, product innovation, and integration — from both vendor and client viewpoints.
A clear theme emerged: interoperability isn’t just about connecting systems — it’s about aligning mindsets, data practices, and partnerships across the trading lifecycle. Whether it's improving speed and accuracy in matching trades, reducing confirmation lags, or creating a shared view of data across risk and treasury functions, the benefits of interoperable systems are tangible — and growing.
Stone emphasized that while APIs and cloud-native systems make technical integration easier, the biggest breakthroughs often come from cultural alignment. “We’re often brought in by the risk function,” she noted, “but it’s through partnering with the business that lasting change takes hold.” Other panellists echoed this, stressing the need for trust, shared governance, and clear ownership throughout implementation.
From breaking legacy silos to navigating fragmented data estates, the group acknowledged that the journey isn’t easy. But it is necessary. As energy trading accelerates — from end-of-day to intra-day to real-time — interoperability becomes a precondition for agility, resilience, and innovation.
The panel also tackled the rise of modular, ecosystem-led architecture. In a sector that has long been dominated by one-size-fits-all platforms, the shift toward best-of-breed, composable solutions is accelerating. In this environment, vendors must be willing to work together — and clients are increasingly demanding it.
Zema Global’s approach to interoperability is grounded in data governance, scalability, and collaboration. Whether integrating with 5 or 15 downstream systems, the focus remains the same: consistent, high-quality data, accessible in real time, across functions and partners.
Interoperability won’t eliminate the complexities of modern energy trading. But done right, it can transform those complexities into a source of resilience, agility, and competitive advantage.
