Nasdaq has officially launched the Nasdaq Validator to support exchanges, clearinghouses and central securities depositories (CSDs) in reducing the cost and complexity of quality assurance (QA), and bring new functionality to market quickly and effectively. Nasdaq Validator is an API-independent testing platform offering manual and automated test tools for the capital markets industry that was created from Nasdaq's experience in developing and delivering marketplace systems to over 100 exchange clients worldwide.

The solution focuses on shortening time-to-market for manual tests, driving efficiencies in the testing and QA process and simplifying access and usage of test tools enabling a broader user group, particularly those less technologically-oriented, to be engaged in the verification process. Nasdaq Validator interfaces with Nasdaq's matching, clearing and CSD systems, in addition to systems by other providers; it is currently in-use by Nasdaq and external clients.

"Delivering new functionality and offerings to the market as swiftly as possible can greatly differentiate marketplaces in a competitive environment," said Lars Ottersgård, Executive Vice President and Head of Market Technology, Nasdaq. "Equally as important is being able to deliver this new functionality safely and efficiently, which requires rigorous, robust testing and quality assurance programs. This becomes very costly from a financial and human capital perspective due to implementation sophistication and the level of technical resources required to carry out the functions. By offering Nasdaq Validator to marketplaces worldwide, we are squarely addressing the absolute necessity for robust QA processes, while reducing expenditures and shortening the go-to-market timetable."

The Nasdaq Validator will support clients through the following benefits:

• Accelerating development and deployment of trading, clearing and CSD system components, decreasing overall time-to-market for enhancements and adaptations;
• Empowering all users working across the development lifecycle to test as they go, as no programming or scripting language is necessary to utilize the platform;
• Reducing cost and complexity enabling usage of a single platform that supports concurrent testing of multiple protocols, sessions in one graphical user interface;

Nasdaq's exchange technology, including trading, clearing, CSD and market surveillance systems, is in operation in over 100 marketplaces across the USA, Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East.