Derivatives Forum Amsterdam 2025

10:05 – 10:15     Welcome speech
 

• Carin Biemond, CEO Europe, ABN AMRO Clearing Bank
• Robbert Booij, CEO, Eurex Frankfurt AG

10:15 – 11:00     Panel: Unlocking Potential - Investing in European Derivatives 

European derivatives markets face a critical juncture. Join us for a timely discussion on navigating the complexities of a changing geopolitical environment, including the recently implemented EMIR 3.0 and the ongoing development of the Capital Markets Savings Union. This panel will analyze the impact of these changes on investment strategies within Europe and explore actionable solutions to bolster the global competitiveness of European derivatives markets.
 

• What opportunities exist?
• What challenges remain?
• What strategies do we need to enhance the attractiveness and resilience of European derivatives?

Moderator: Annette Weisbach, Financial Journalist and Moderator

Speakers:
 

• Jan Bart de Boer, Chief Commercial Officer, ABN AMRO Clearing
• Roelof Salomons, Chief Investment Strategist, Managing Director, BlackRock

• Jeroen van Wijngaarden, Executive Director, DUFAS

• Robbert Booij, CEO, Eurex Frankfurt AG

11:00 – 11:20     Fireside Chat: AI in Derivatives 

The derivatives industry is on the cusp of a revolution driven by Artificial Intelligence. Join this fireside chat as leading experts delve into how AI reshapes trading strategies and risk management. This discussion will explore AI's opportunities and challenges, offering valuable insights for anyone involved in this evolving landscape.
 

Moderator: Annette Weisbach, Financial Journalist and Moderator

Speakers:
 

• Borno Janekovic, CEO, Omphalos Fund

11:20 – 11:45     Coffee break 

11:45 – 12:30     Panel: Navigating Market Trends - Buyside Perspectives in Options Trading

What are the buy side's key considerations in today's dynamic options market? Join leading buy-side professionals for a discussion on the latest trends, including a deep dive into the world of options and a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of OTC versus listed options.

• What are the primary drivers shaping the buy side's current approach to options trading?
• What are the specific opportunities and challenges presented by options?
• Under what circumstances do buy-side firms prefer OTC options over listed options?

Moderator: Philipp Schultze, Head of Sales Western&Southern Europe, Eurex

Speakers:
 

• Didier Michoud PhD, FRM, Chief Risk Officer, ADAPT Investment Managers

• Paul van der Meer, Head of Derivatives Sales Europe, IMC Trading

• Stefan Thomsen, Senior Business Expert Trading, Union Investment

12:30 – 13:30     Lunch sponsored by Optiver

13:30 – 14:15     Panel: The Evolution of Retail Trading: Navigating Change in a Dynamic Landscape 

Retail investors are increasingly using sophisticated financial instruments, including derivatives. This panel brings together leading experts to analyze the current state of retail derivatives trading in Europe, exploring opportunities and challenges for growth. Join us as we discuss the evolving landscape and the roles of brokers, exchanges, and market makers in shaping the future of retail investment.

• How do retail investors currently interact with European derivatives?
• How can Europe stimulate more retail participation? What is the role of different players (brokers, exchanges, market makers)?
• Is regulation fit for purpose as it relates to retail investors trading listed derivatives?

Moderator: Sarah Khafi, Vice President, Strategy, Eurex

Speakers:
 

• Toma Montanari, Head of Business Development EMEA, Interactive Brokers

• Lara Shevchenko, Senior Market Structure Policy Advisor, FIA EPTA

• Alexander Asante, Head of Financial Products, LYNX 

14:15 – 15:00     Panel: Commodity markets & the rise of POWER

Geopolitical risks, supply chain disruptions, and the growth of renewables are transforming global commodity markets. This panel will explore the key trends impacting everything from cacao to coffee, delve into the evolving European and global energy markets, and examine emerging opportunities in renewable energy and carbon transactions.

• How have geopolitical risk, supply chain disruptions, and shifts in demand affected the global commodity markets?
• How are the energy markets developing?
• Opportunities in renewable energy and carbon transactions?

Moderator: Erik Floor, Global regulatory adviser, ABN AMRO Clearing

Speakers:
 

• Ebbe Rogge, Senior Policy Advisor, Autoriteit Financiële Markten
• Mario Claeys, Managing Director, CMeXs
• Norbert Anhalt, Head of Sales Germany & the Netherlands, EEX

15:00 – 15:30     Coffee break

15:30 – 15:50     Fireside Chat: The future of EU debt is here: Euro-EU Bond futures set to boost the EU debt market

The upcoming Euro-EU Bond Futures are designed to enhance liquidity in the EU debt market. What are the key drivers behind this innovative product, its potential benefits for investors, and does it complement Eurex's existing fixed income offerings. Discover how these physically delivered futures can be utilized for hedging EU Bond exposure and contribute to a more dynamic market

• How can investors leverage Euro-EU Bond Futures to manage risk and potentially enhance returns within their portfolios?
• Understanding the specifics of the contract specifications, delivery mechanism, and how these futures fit into the broader fixed income landscape.

Moderator: Annette Weisbach, Financial Journalist and Moderator

Speaker:

• Lee Bartholomew, Co-Head of Derivatives Products & Markets, Eurex

15:50 – 16:35     Panel: The evolution of multi-asset trading: trends, technologies, and best practices

24/7 trading, digitization, and rising retail participation are transforming multi-asset trading. This panel explores how diversification helps traders to manage risk and optimize returns in this evolving market. We'll examine the growing trend of multi-asset dealing desks and discuss key market infrastructure developments, including buy-side liquidity, enhanced equity market efficiency, the role of benchmarks, and robust post-trade services. Join us for a forward-looking discussion on the future of multi-asset trading.

• What are the key advantages of a multi-asset approach in today's dynamic market?
• Why are more firms merging their asset-class trading desks?
• How can you ensure best execution and a specialist service for each asset class on a multi-asset desk?
• How are trading strategies evolving to leverage the benefits and address the challenges of multi-asset trading in a rapidly changing landscape?

Moderator: Annette Weisbach, Financial Journalist and Moderator
 

Speakers:

• Andreas Meier, Head of Execution, AFS
• Peter James, Institutional derivatives sales, Optiver
• Stefan Thomsen, Senior Business Expert Trading, Union Investment

16:35 – 16:55     Panel: Defense futures -  portfolio opportunity or ethical dilemma?

Geopolitical instability is driving increased investment in the defense sector. Does this create an opportunity or a conflict for portfolios? Are national security and the protection of lives more important goals than banning weapons? Explore the case for investing in military suppliers in a world grappling with ethical considerations. Join our fireside chat for a timely discussion

• Beyond geopolitical risk, what are the key drivers of defense stocks' performance, and how can investors assess their long-term potential?
• How can investors reconcile defense investments with ESG principles, and what role can ESG factors play in shaping the future of the defense industry?
• What are the practical considerations for incorporating STOXX Defense Futures into a portfolio, including risk management and diversification strategies?

Moderator: Annette Weisbach, Financial Journalist and Moderator 

Speakers: 

• Ladi Williams, Executive Director, Head of Thematics & Strategy, Index Product Management, STOXX

16:55 – 17:00     Closing remarks

17:00 – 19:00    Networking drinks, sponsored by IMC

Venue: Gustavino