Precision Time Protocol (IEEE 1588): The Complete Guide for Trading
Why trading firms need sub-microsecond clocks, how PTP achieves them, which regulatory accuracy rules apply under MiFID II and CAT, and where White Rabbit fits.
Time Synchronization
Precision Time Protocol, White Rabbit, GPS timing and MiFID II RTS 25 clock synchronisation for trading infrastructure.
Time Synchronization: an overview
Accurate timestamps are required by regulators and essential for measuring latency, reconstructing order books and proving best execution.
This section covers PTP architecture, sub-nanosecond White Rabbit, GNSS risks and the compliance requirements of MiFID II RTS 25 and US CAT.
Latest Time Synchronization research
Browse all research Key concepts
- PTP (IEEE 1588)
- A network protocol that synchronises clocks to sub-microsecond accuracy using hardware timestamps.
- UTC traceability
- The documented chain linking a firm’s clocks to Coordinated Universal Time.
- Grandmaster clock
- The reference clock that distributes time to every other device in a PTP network.
Research roadmap
What we cover in Time Synchronization
Our editorial plan for this section. Published guides are linked; the rest are in research.
- Live Precision Time Protocol (IEEE 1588): The Complete Guide for Trading
- Soon White Rabbit Time Synchronization Explained
- Soon MiFID II RTS 25 Clock Synchronisation Requirements
- Soon GPS and GNSS Timing for Financial Infrastructure
- Soon Configuring PTP on Linux With ptp4l and phc2sys