The top trends in trading to watch in 2017

In that same vein, a liquidity crisis failed to emerge in the bond market, and the blockchain buzz still hasn't died down. And if the path forward for financial markets wasn't already uncertain, a Republican Washington now threatens to reverse laws and regulations that the industry has spent several years and billions of dollars adapting to.

Nevertheless, the outlook for capital markets participants is looking brighter. Volume-creating events have helped bank revenues improve, and we expect the trend to continue. Interest rates are finally rising, further aiding bank profits and benefiting the market as a whole.

Deregulation-or at least no new regulation-is likely to be the theme driving Washington for at least the coming year. And while the full impact of MiFID II still remains unknown, we're hopeful the market will adapt throughout the implementation phase, leaving the markets more efficient but not over-regulated.

And on that positive note, here are our Top 10 market structure trends to watch for 2017.