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John Lothian News Founded 2011 Headquarters Elmhurst, Illinois, United States Key People John J. Lothian, Sarah Rudolph, Jeff Bergstrom, Nancy Ashburn, Patrick Lothian Employees 5-10 Products newsletters, MarketsWiki, educational events, interviews, video production Twitter @JohnLothianNews LinkedIn Profile Facebook Page Website JohnLothianNews.com John Lothian News is a financial media firm specializing in coverage of global derivatives, futures, options, and securities markets. The company produces daily financial news content, analysis, interviews, and educational materials targeted at professionals, asset managers, proprietary trading firms, and institutional investors operating in price discovery, risk management, and liquidity across the capital markets. It is recognized for providing independent journalism and knowledge resources, including the flagship John Lothian Newsletter, MarketsWiki, and various educational initiatives focusing on futures, options, and evolving trading technologies. The company serves the financial exchange industry, presenting in-depth coverage of major players such as CME Group, ICE, Eurex and SGX, regulatory developments with the CFTC, product innovations, and controversial market events impacting the sector. John Lothian News is a division of John J. Lothian & Company, Inc. (JJLCO), based in Elmhurst, Illinois. Its mission is to inform, educate, and promote transparency in global markets without promotional bias or commercial messaging, adhering to standards of independent financial journalism. History John Lothian News traces its roots to August 2000, when Chicago futures broker John J. Lothian began aggregating financial news and market commentary through daily email newsletters. These efforts coincided with broad transitions in the exchange industry, as electronic trading began to supplant open outcry systems and single stock futures introduced significant uncertainty. Lothian operated as president of the electronic trading division at The Price Futures Group, seeking to expand his network in futures, options, and managed futures by sharing valuable market information. The initiative evolved into a standing industry report, later named the "John Lothian Newsletter," distributed to a growing list of professionals, analysts, and exchange executives. In 2003, John J. Lothian & Company, Inc. was formally incorporated, marking the transition from a personal venture to an established financial media organization. The expansion of editorial staff included experienced market editors, journalists, and technologists who developed related products, including MarketsWiki—a public online knowledge base covering market participants, trading concepts, contracts, and regulatory topics. Notable contributors in the development period included Jon Matte, Jim Kharouf, Gail Osten, Laura Oatney, Sarah Rudolph, and Jeff Bergstrom. JJLCO also diversified into environmental finance media through the launch of the JLN Environmental/Energy Newsletter, which covered global clean-tech and emissions markets, furthering its reputation for niche market intelligence. During the 2010s, the company introduced MarketsWiki Education, a global initiative providing lectures and resources to students, aspiring market professionals, and industry entrants. These projects amplified the firm’s educational reach, complementing daily news with long-form interviews and topical research. John Lothian News has documented pivotal market events such as the transition to electronic trading, notable cases involving market manipulation, product launches like bitcoin futures, and regulatory changes affecting the CFTC, ESMA, swap dealers, and compliance efforts in the exchange- and OTC-linked segments. It has regularly profiled prominent figures and thought leaders in trading, exchange management, technology, and regulation. The firm’s anniversary events and retrospectives further highlight the historical development and enduring impact of JLN on global derivatives journalism. Products & Services John Lothian News publishes a variety of digital products and services for the financial markets community. Its lead product is the John Lothian Newsletter, offering syndicated news, commentary, and analysis covering futures, options, cryptocurrencies, cash-settled products, and related cash and derivatives segments. JLN Options focuses on industry-specific developments in options markets, while MarketsWiki delivers structured references and biographical entries on firms, contracts, technologies, and regulatory history. Video production is another specialization, as John Lothian Productions covers industry interviews, profiles, and documentary projects. This division develops feature-length video interviews with market leaders, conference coverage, and special reports—such as series on market manipulation, trading technology, and exchange innovation. Education services are delivered via the MarketsWiki Education program, which produces lectures, case studies, and webinar content for a multi-generational audience. Podcasts like "The John Lothian News Daily Update" expand the firm's reach into audio media. JJLCO offers paid sponsorships, video profiles, and thematic marketing solutions for firms wishing to reach a targeted industry audience. Some products offer free subscriptions for students and journalists, maintaining an educational mandate. Key People The company’s leadership and staff consist of experienced journalists, editors, and video professionals with backgrounds in derivatives, exchange industry, education, and compliance. Staff John J. Lothian – Executive Chairman, CEO & Publisher Sarah Rudolph – Editor-in-Chief Jeff Bergstrom – CIO & Editor Nancy Ashburn – Director of Finance and Administration Patrick Lothian – Head of Video Production Robert J. Lothian – Assistant Videographer/Editor John J. Lothian Sarah Rudolph Jeff Bergstrom Patrick Lothian Other freelance contributors support special projects, journalistic research, and video documentary production. Risk Management John Lothian News implements comprehensive risk management processes to ensure editorial integrity, industry compliance, and information security. The company maintains strict ethical guidelines regarding content accuracy, fair reporting, and independent sourcing. Its leadership adheres to prevailing standards for media transparency and disclosure, with periodic outside reviews of editorial practices and archiving protocols. JJLCO’s risk management extends to client data privacy and network security, especially given its regular coverage of futures, options, and sensitive trading technologies. The company complies with legal and regulatory obligations regarding market information and sponsorship requirements. Controversies Over its multi-decade history, John Lothian News has covered, and at times been scrutinized for, its reporting on controversial industry practices and regulatory investigations. In producing investigative video series like the Chicago Board of Trade’s "Ginzy" trading scandal and market manipulation cases involving spoofing, JLN has faced criticism regarding its editorial perspectives and access to regulatory documents. Episodes involving intense regulatory reform debates, the adoption of bitcoin futures, and conflicts between industry players have also resulted in heightened public and peer scrutiny. Specific reports on controversial product launches and exchange fee structures have stirred debate within the exchange community over transparency. JLN’s commitment to reporting contentious or complex stories in depth, while maintaining editorial independence, remains a defining feature as it navigates relationships with external sponsors, the exchanges themselves, and its audience. References

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