Flow Traders Reports Strong 1Q 2026 on Elevated Volatility and Trading Volumes
Event summary
- 1Q 2026 trading volumes and volatility increased year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter across most asset classes due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
- Equity trading volumes rose in Europe and the Americas, while Japan saw a minor quarter-on-quarter decline.
- Fixed Income trading volumes increased, with volatility spiking in March.
- Digital Assets trading volumes declined year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter, but tokenized real-world assets activity grew.
- ETP market volumes surged 27% in EMEA, 70% in the Americas, and 100% in APAC year-on-year.
The big picture
Flow Traders' strong 1Q 2026 performance reflects broader market trends driven by geopolitical uncertainty, with elevated volatility and trading volumes across key asset classes. The firm's ability to capitalize on these conditions underscores its role as a leading liquidity provider. The continued growth in ETP markets and the shift towards tokenized real-world assets highlight evolving investor preferences and regulatory dynamics shaping the financial ecosystem.
What we're watching
- Geopolitical Impact
- How sustained Middle East tensions will affect trading volumes and volatility in 2Q 2026.
- Digital Assets Recovery
- Whether the muted activity in crypto markets will rebound or if tokenized real-world assets will continue to gain traction.
- ETP Market Growth
- The pace at which ETP market volumes will grow, particularly in APAC, given the strong year-on-year increases.
Related topics