Market Infrastructure: Virtu and Optiver Back New Options Venue as Retail Liquidity Reshapes Structure

In a move highlighting the structural shift in US financial markets, Optimal Market Technologies has unveiled a new execution platform for listed options, backed by heavyweight market makers Virtu Financial and Optiver. The initiative, slated for commercial launch in Q1 2026, arrives as self-directed retail investors increasingly influence liquidity dynamics.

• Commercial Launch: Q1 2026
• Key Backers: Virtu Financial, Optiver
• Regulatory Status: Approved by FINRA
• Partners: Akuna, Belvedere Trading, Group One Trading

Institutional Response to Retail Flow

The surge in retail participation—shifting from passive administrative tools to real-time, decision-making systems—has necessitated an evolution in broker-dealer infrastructure. Optimals new platform, approved by FINRA, aims to service retail options wholesalers and institutional asset managers by addressing current inefficiencies, including high costs and inconsistent execution quality.

This development underscores the growing importance of retail flow in determining market direction, a factor that macro analysts now closely monitor for its potential to trigger volatility spikes that spill over into broader asset classes, including Forex.

The 'Competition for Order Flow' Model

Distinguishing itself from traditional routing, the platform utilizes a “competition for order flow” (CFOF) model. Liquidity providers, starting with launch partners Optiver, Akuna, Belvedere Trading, and Group One Trading, will compete for order flow based on measurable execution quality.

Brian Donnelly, CEO of Optimal Market Technologies, emphasized the focus on competitive liquidity: “Over the coming months, we plan to add additional liquidity providers so that clients can benefit from an even broader set of counterparties.”

Integration and Infrastructure

The platform functions as a standalone entity but leverages RQD Clearing for its multi-asset clearing and custody infrastructure. It is designed to integrate via standard API or FIX connectivity, streamlining the post-trade processing and regulatory reporting required for high-volume institutional participants.