Open standards for app interoperability
What is FDC3?
FDC3 and FINOS
FDC3 (Financial Desktop Connectivity and Collaboration Consortium) is an open standard that defines how financial applications share context and trigger actions. By giving apps a common language, it enables seamless interoperability and connected workflows across desktop and web environments.
FDC3 is an open standard developed and maintained by a global community through FINOS. Banks, asset managers and technology providers collaborate to define how applications share context and trigger actions across financial workflows. interop.io has contributed to FDC3 since its inception in 2017 and is now a lead maintainer of the standard.
The FDC3 community includes 100+ members, from platform providers to application vendors and buy- and sell-side firms. interop.io is an FDC3 champion and lead-maintainer. Together, we’re paving the future of interop across the financial desktop.
Engineers and Platform Builders
Out-of-the-box interoperability between FDC3-enabled apps—no custom integrations required.
End Users
Seamless workflows across applications with shared context and no manual switching.
Where io.Connect Fits
FDC3 defines the standard. io.Connect provides the foundation to make it work in production.
FDC3 2.2 introduces a standardized way for web applications to discover and connect to a compatible desktop agent. This reduces platform-specific integration work and makes FDC3-enabled apps more portable across desktop and browser environments.
- Standardized connection: The Web Connection Protocol defines how a web app connects to an agent.
- Consistent API access: A common
getAgent()entry point lets applications acquire the FDC3 API across supported environments. - Available in io.Connect Browser: Support for FDC3 2.2 and the Web Connection Protocol was introduced in io.Connect Browser 4.0.
As a vendor in capital markets, interoperability is most likely top of mind as FINOS/FDC3 is supported by the biggest buy- and sell-side firms in the industry, along with leading solutions providers around the world.
In any multi-step workflow, there are actions and responses to actions. These actions are composed of data context and intents—the core of FDC3. An easy way to think about context is “nouns” such as ticker symbol. Intents can be thought of as an action, such as open a chart. In this post, we’ll break down two key specifications of FDC3 to give them a closer look.
FDC3 for the Web
See how FDC3 2.2 extends standardized application interoperability to the web. This on-demand webinar explores the Web Connection Protocol, demonstrates how to FDC3-enable a web application, and shows how developers can use the free FDC3 Developer Sandbox to test interoperability across supported desktop and browser environment.
FDC3 2.0 established the foundation for interoperability
FDC3 2.0 marked a major milestone in standardizing how financial applications share context and trigger actions across desktops. Driven by the FDC3 community, it introduced key updates like App Directory (AppD) and API transactions—capabilities that continue to power modern interoperable workflows today.
Read more about FDC3 2.0
FDC3 Desktop Agent API
The FDC3 Desktop Agent API defines how applications interact with a desktop agent to share context and trigger actions. It provides a standardized interface that developers can use to enable interoperability across both in-house and vendor applications.
By implementing the FDC3 API, applications can communicate using a common language—ensuring consistent behavior across platforms and workflows without custom integrations.
AI-driven workflows can also leverage FDC3 to share context between applications and assistants, helping embed AI into real user workflows rather than isolating it in separate tools.
interop.io provides solutions engineering support to help teams integrate FDC3 and design interoperable workflows that work in real production environments.
The landscape of application interconnectivity is evolving right before our eyes. In the background, is FDC3.
Advanced workflows with FDC3 and interop.io
FDC3 enables applications to share context and trigger actions—powering synchronized views and launching apps with the right data.
But real-world workflows like RFQs, trade breaks, and pre-trade analysis require coordination across multiple apps, steps, and state over time. FDC3 provides the foundation, but extending beyond the standard is essential to support these scenarios in practice.
Explore additional FDC3 use cases in financial services from the FINOS community to see how these patterns are applied across financial services.
Bridging the Gap: FDC3 Across Hybrid Environments
interop.io is a FINOS Gold Member
Learn more about the benefits of our FINOS Gold Membership, including access to an extensive training programs, certification opportunities, and software conformance benefits. These resources ensures that the interop.io team remains at the forefront of innovations and industry best practices, particularly around FDC3 Standards.
Learn more