The Moscow Exchange experienced a rare technical disruption on February 13, as confirmed by the exchange’s press service and reported by RIA News. Officials from the exchange described the incident as an unusual failure in its IT infrastructure, underscoring that even the most robust systems can encounter unexpected glitches from time to time. (Source: Moscow Exchange press service)
Market participants and observers noted that no software vendor can promise a 100% guarantee against future outages. In the fast-moving world of electronic trading, vendors acknowledge that hardware and software environments are complex and subject to unpredictable factors. The exchange reiterated this point, emphasizing that ongoing improvements and layered safeguards are essential to resilience. (Source: Moscow Exchange press service)
Over the last 48 hours, the Moscow Exchange has halted trading twice due to malfunctions within its information technology framework. Each pause prompted a temporary halt in activity while technical teams diagnosed the issues and implemented corrective measures to restore normal operations. These interruptions highlight the critical need for rapid incident response and robust failover protocols in modern trading venues. (Source: Moscow Exchange press service)
Earlier, the exchange announced a brief suspension caused by a hardware error in the server stack at 13:58 Moscow time on Tuesday. Trading activity resumed at 15:45 Moscow time after engineers confirmed the problem was contained and systems stabilized. The quick recovery demonstrated the exchange’s ability to manage interruptions without long-lasting disruption to clients. (Source: Moscow Exchange press service)
The most recent incident, which occurred on February 14, was resolved within an hour, allowing a swift return to normal market operations. While such events are not common, they serve as a reminder of the importance of redundant architectures and proactive monitoring to minimize downtime. (Source: Moscow Exchange press service)
Vladimir Chistyukhin, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Russia, expressed cautious optimism that repeated failures would be avoided and stressed the need for continued vigilance over cybersecurity at the Moscow Stock Exchange. He highlighted the value of replacing aging components and conducting regular, rigorous testing of all systems to ensure uninterrupted trading despite evolving cyber threats. His remarks point to a broader regulatory emphasis on operational resilience within the financial infrastructure. (Source: Central Bank of Russia)
In late December, the Moscow Stock Exchange disclosed a scenario plan outlining actions to be taken if dollar trading were to halt. The document reflects a structured approach to risk management, detailing contingencies, escalation paths, and communication protocols designed to protect market integrity during potential disruption. (Source: Moscow Stock Exchange)
Previously, the exchange reported that its index had reached an annual high not seen since February 2022, signaling continued investor interest and participation despite recent technical challenges. The move underscored the market’s capacity to recover and attract liquidity as participants reassess opportunities in volatile environments. (Source: Moscow Stock Exchange)