Citco Reports 50%+ Trading Surge in March 2026 Amid Volatility

Hedge fund trading activity jumped more than 50% month-on-month in March 2026, according to Citco’s Q1 2026 Middle Office Solutions Report, released April 30. The fund services group, which runs middle-office operations for a wide cross-section of hedge funds, said heightened geopolitical volatility drove the spike. Across the full quarter, trade volumes rose more than 10%, the value of collateral movements climbed 71%, and treasury transaction values reached $707 billion, up 15% from the prior quarter.

Every category moved in the same direction

Collateral activity led the move, which is the pattern to expect when margin calls tighten quickly. Trade volumes followed, with foreign exchange and over-the-counter derivatives growing fastest as managers repositioned around what Citco described as “increased market dislocation.” Treasury...