Nanoconda — Company & Platform Overview
Nanoconda is a CME-certified Independent Software Vendor (ISV) providing fully managed Direct Market Access (DMA) for high-frequency futures trading, headquartered in Plano, Texas, with colocated infrastructure at CME Aurora, Illinois.
Why Nanoconda
Go Live in Days, Not Months
Build in our simulator, deploy to CME colocation, and start trading – without standing up any infrastructure yourself.
Latency That Competes
In-memory pre-trade risk on the same machine as your algo. Zero unnecessary hops between your strategy and the CME matching engine.
A Fraction of the In-House Cost
Skip the $200K–$1M build. One flat monthly subscription covers the software, hardware, certification, and operations.
Platform Features
Full-Fidelity Exchange API
1:1 with the CME exchange. Every field, every message – no abstraction, no normalization, nothing stripped out.
- Full MBO feed: every order add, modify, and cancel exposed directly to your algorithm.
- All MDP 3.0 fields: price levels, implied quantities, trade summary, and instrument definitions.
- Complete iLink 3.0 coverage: all order types and all execution report fields.
- Private fills include all exchange metadata: execution IDs, aggressor flags, and transaction timestamps.
Pre-Trade Risk
Lightning-fast inline risk checks on the same machine as your algo – no network round-trip, no added latency.
- Built-in kill switch stops execution instantly.
- Order ID returned before a remote check could even complete.
- Configurable limits: position, rate, notional, fat-finger.
GUI & Order Manager
Real-time order management GUI reading directly from shared memory – zero processing delay.
- One-click kill switch and flatten controls.
- 10-level book (DOM) view via MDP 3.0.
- Available in browser, Windows, Linux, and macOS clients.
FCM Integration
Connect with any registered US FCM for clearing, compliance, and sponsored CME access.
- Adjust trading limits live via C++ API or GUI.
- Automatic audit trail and compliance log generation.
- Tested with major US FCMs – integrated during onboarding.
PCAP & DBN Replay
Backtest with recorded market data – PCAP files or DataBento DBN format, synced automatically across instruments.
- Replay at original timestamp rate or maximum speed.
- Multi-file, multi-instrument support with auto-sync.
- Same API binary as live production – zero code changes.
Trading Simulator
CME Globex-compatible simulator supporting all exchange order types – FAK, Iceberg, Limit, Market, Stop, and Stop-Limit.
- Works with PCAP/DBN replay data or live market feeds.
- Same API as production – backtest and trade with same code.
- Run paper trades alongside a live-feed session simultaneously.
Algo Controls
Monitor and command your co-located algo from any browser, in real time.
- Send custom parameters to your running algo – no restart needed.
- Receive real-time metrics and signal feedback.
- Kill switch integrated with the pre-trade risk system.
Trace File
Nanosecond-precision audit log across your algo, session layer, and exchange connection.
- Captures every order lifecycle event with timestamps.
- Replay trace files with the same API as live and PCAP modes.
- Essential for debugging latency spikes and missed fills.
How It Works — Go Live in Three Steps
Build & Test
Develop locally using PCAP or DataBento DBN replay in our simulator. No infrastructure needed – just your strategy code.
Validate in Staging
Run the same binary on live market feeds while all orders execute in simulation. Real data, zero risk.
Go Live
Flip the config to production. Same code, real orders to the exchange – no rewrite, no surprises.
Key Differentiators
- Microsecond order-to-wire latency
- In-memory pre-trade risk – same machine as your algo
- Dedicated CPU cores at CME Aurora colocation
- CME-certified iLink 3.0 & MDP 3.0 – maintained continuously
- Fully managed 24/6 – hardware, OS, and connectivity
- $0 routing fees – flat monthly rate only
- FCM integration included – any registered US FCM
- GUI, simulator, PCAP/DBN replay, trace file – all included
Nanoconda vs. Alternatives
Performance
| Feature | Broker API | Other DMA Platform | DIY DMA | Nanoconda |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Order-to-Wire Latency | ~1–10ms | ~100µs–2ms | ~1µs (requires expertise) | ~1µs |
| Exchange-Native Order Types | Standard types; no Iceberg | Most types – FCM-dependent | Yes | Yes |
| Order-by-Order Book Data (MBO) | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| In-Memory Pre-Trade Risk | Separate Server | Separate Server | Build yourself | Yes |
| Manual Trading GUI | Yes | Yes | Build yourself | Yes |
| Real-Time Algo Monitoring & Kill Switch | No | Limited Information | Build yourself | Yes |
| Bespoke Strategy Logic & Control | WEB API only | Framework-constrained | Build yourself | Yes |
Setup & Operations
| Feature | Broker API | Other DMA Platform | DIY DMA | Nanoconda |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time to Go Live | Days–weeks | 4–12 weeks | 12–18 months | Days |
| Exchange Colocation | No | Separate cost | Self-managed | Yes |
| SSH / Server Access | No | Separate cost | Yes | Yes |
| 24/6 Managed Operations | Yes | Yes | Your team | Yes |
| CME Certification | Yes | Yes | Self-maintained | Yes |
| CME Audit Trail Delivery | Yes | Yes | Self-managed | Yes |
Cost
| Feature | Broker API | Other DMA Platform | DIY DMA | Nanoconda |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per-Order Routing Fee | Yes | Yes | $0 | $0 |
| Year-1 Total Cost | Heavy transaction fees | Routing + platform fees | $200K – $1M+ | From $19,800 |
Plans at a Glance
Backtesting Simulator
Best for: Strategy validation before committing to live infrastructure
Price: $250 / 3 months
- PCAP & DataBento DBN file replay
- CME-compatible order simulator (FAK, Iceberg, IOC, Limit…)
- Same C++ API as production – zero code changes to go live
- No exchange account or FCM required
DMA Software Suite
Best for: Firms with their own colocation hardware
Price: $3,200 (/ month), or $2,800 with an annual commitment
- iLink 3.0 + MDP 3.0 – CME certified
- Pre-trade risk, GUI, simulator, PCAP/DBN replay
- FCM integration – runs on your server
- All CME futures products supported
GUI Managed Algo
Best for: Algo traders who don't need SSH access
Price: $2,100 (/ month), or $1,800 with an annual commitment
- 1 dedicated CPU core at CME Aurora colocation
- Browser GUI access – no SSH
- Full DMA platform included
- Managed & monitored 24/6 by Nanoconda
Colocated Professional
Best for: Prop firms running multiple strategies
Price: $3,200 (/ month), or $2,800 with an annual commitment
- 3 dedicated CPU cores at CME Aurora colocation
- Full SSH access – direct server control
- Full DMA platform included
- Managed, monitored & supported 24/6