ACA Group Unveils Market Abuse Risk Framework

ACA Group has rolled out a new Market Abuse Risk Framework to help UK and European buy-side firms identify and manage risks across their trading operations. The initiative marks the first end-to-end solution designed specifically for buy-side participants seeking to strengthen governance and compliance under tightening regulatory standards.

The governance, risk, and compliance advisory firm said the framework integrates advisory support, managed services, and regulatory technology to help firms address vulnerabilities linked to market abuse. It spans the full trade lifecycle, from pre-trade to post-trade monitoring, and aligns with major regulations including the Market Abuse Regulation (MAR), MiFID II, and the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SM&CR).

The launch follows heightened scrutiny from regulators and investors. The UK Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) five-year enforcement plan, announced earlier this year, placed market abuse among its top priorities. Recent insider trading cases and the FCA's ongoing consultation on SM&CR reforms have further raised expectations for firms to demonstrate robust oversight and conduct frameworks.

"The pace of change has been extraordinary," said Raj Somal, Partner at ACA Group. "Our clients are navigating complex, cross-border trading environments and often lack a holistic view of their market abuse risk. This isn't just a health check; it's a dynamic, evolving program that helps strengthen governance and build investor confidence."

The framework features a proprietary matrix that maps market abuse offences to trading activities across asset classes, including equities, fixed income, ETFs, real assets, and algorithmic strategies. It also includes system reviews, control testing, and enhanced processes for filing Suspicious Transaction and Order Reports (STORs).

Additionally, ACA's framework provides a "question bank" informed by the firm's experience with regulators and clients, along with a reusable documentation package to help firms maintain compliance. Through its ComplianceAlpha® technology platform, ACA also enables integrated trade and eComms surveillance, conflict-of-interest monitoring, and research oversight.

According to the firm, this comprehensive approach aims to equip compliance teams with actionable insights rather than static reports. The framework can also be paired with outsourced surveillance and advisory services, allowing firms to respond rapidly to regulator findings and improve governance in an increasingly demanding environment.