#NasdaqETFUpdate As Nasdaq Stockholm celebrates the 40th anniversary of its options market, it’s worth reflecting on the historic moment when derivatives trading began in the Nordics.

What started as a small operation has matured into a powerhouse marketplace serving investors across the region and beyond.

"The derivatives market has been fundamental to establishing the Nordics as the most advanced financial markets in Europe,” said Adam Kostyál, President of Nasdaq Stockholm. “It’s created incredible opportunities for both private and institutional investors.”

Simple Beginnings

On Wednesday, June 12, 1985, a small team gathered anxiously around a trading screen in Stockholm to witness history. At 11:23 am, the first broker called in their order at what was then called OM (Optionsmäklarna or “Options Broker”). OM’s founder, Olof Stenhammar, couldn't resist being part of the moment. "At 11:00, I entered a buy order for my broker for a November option in Volvo, and I heard Anders Jordansson at the broker's desk shout that someone had made a trade, our first one,” said Stenhammar.

“Though the operation was computerized from the beginning, when we started receiving larger block orders and orders associated with different conditions, we understood we had to find another way to handle them,” said Stenhammar.What’s Next for Nasdaq Stockholm

Education has been a cornerstone of the Stockholm marketplace since its inception. Those who founded the company recognized early on that they needed to explain options to the uninitiated and start educating traders on best practices and strategies.

“Now derivatives are a natural part of the Nordic financial system,” said Fröling.

But Fröling mentioned challenges remain in attracting institutional and retail investors to the options market. “There are still some hurdles to investors easily trading derivatives contracts in the same way they do individual stocks. That’s why we need to keep investing in financial literacy.”