Flexibility in code is important. When markets change it is good to be able to quickly rework your code. Sometimes depending on the market this is more importan

Flexibility in code is important. When markets change it is good to be able to quickly rework your code. Sometimes depending on the market this is more important than pure speed. Market data is the slow monster - especially in the options market - not order entry. This is where the fpgas come in to help. Often I have seen trading groups throw money at infrastructure when it was really just that a competitor (a virtu or citadel) has a better way of internalizing order flow or managing risk so they can pay more for the same trade.