Business

Nasdaq's Anti-Financial Crime Division Sees Significant Growth with Help from AI Technology

Published January 11, 2024

To bolster its efforts against financial crime, Nasdaq Inc. (NDAQ) has significantly increased its investment in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Adena Friedman, the CEO of Nasdaq, has highlighted the company's commitment to utilizing advanced technology for crime prevention. As a result, the anti-financial crime sector of Nasdaq is now one of its most rapidly expanding segments.

Growth Through Innovation

Recent reports indicate that Nasdaq’s anti-financial crime unit has experienced a robust growth of approximately 20% year-on-year. "We are investing in the technology in a very substantial way," asserted CEO Adena Friedman. The progress was made public during her speech at the Consumer Technology Association conference held in Las Vegas.

The anti-financial crime tools developed by Nasdaq employ AI to enhance the speed and efficiency of detecting and addressing unlawful activities. Collaborating with banks, other trading platforms, and brokerage firms, Nasdaq is deploying these solutions to fight against financial misconduct effectively.

Strategic Expansion and Partnerships

Since stepping into the position of CEO in 2017, Friedman has been instrumental in directing Nasdaq's transformation from a stock exchange to a versatile financial-services entity. This transition was significantly boosted by the acquisition of software company Adenza in a deal valued at $10.5 billion.

Additionally, Friedman touched on the authorization of spot Bitcoin ETFs by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Nasdaq has been proactive in this area, filing to list such products, potentially broadening investors' access to this asset class.

AI in the Financial Landscape

As AI forges ahead within the financial sphere, its applications are revolutionizing investment strategies by providing unparalleled analysis and insight. Yet, U.S. regulators have pinpointed AI as a possible threat to financial stability, necessitating enhanced regulatory vigilance.

Moreover, the integration of AI within financial advisory services continues to be a subject of intense discussion. Concerns have been raised regarding advisors' fiduciary duties and how they reconcile with the adoption of AI technology, as highlighted by Ben Henry-Moreland from Kitces.com in December 2023.

Nasdaq, ArtificialIntelligence, FinancialCrime