And merger talks last year between Clearnet and the London Clearing House came to nothing.

ECONOMIST: The London Stock Exchange

Clearnet centre on just how it is meant to live up to its promise.

ECONOMIST: Clash of the titans

Clearnet, a swaps clearing-house, is part of an industry-wide dash to grab some of the action (see article).

ECONOMIST: The risk in clearing-houses

The UK's competition regulator has given the London Stock Exchange Group the go-ahead for its planned takeover of clearing house LCH Clearnet.

BBC: LSE cleared by OFT to buy LCH Clearnet

The London Stock Exchange is to buy a 60% stake in LCH Clearnet, the European clearing house, but for a lower price.

BBC: LSE agrees LCH Clearnet deal at lower price

Clearnet, insisted they put up bigger deposits for such deals - which may have the adverse effect of making it more expensive for Italy to borrow.

BBC: Eurozone's Friday the 13th

Clearnet, the intermediary between MF Global and the ultimate but as yet unknown counterparties to the trades, set the expiration date short to avoid the risk of default by sovereigns.

FORBES: Uncontrolled Risk Taking, Not Bad Accounting, Did MF Global In

Euronext was told it would have to substantially slash its stake in Clearnet - from 41.4% to below 15% - and limit its representation on Clearnet's board to just one seat.

BBC: The watchdog's report could spark further bids for the LSE

Euronext, a continental stock exchange that offers central counterparty and netting services via its clearing house, Clearnet, says it is happy to discuss partnerships with other European clearing houses to find a pan-European solution.

ECONOMIST: The London Stock Exchange