LCH.Clearnet, Europe's leading clearer, has thrown down the gauntlet to its main rivals by requesting open access to their clearing businesses, testing their commitment to the European Commission's "code of conduct".

LCH.Clearnet, which clears shares traded on the London Stock Exchange and NYSE Euronext, has issued formal requests to the Deutsche Börse and Borsa Italiana to allow it to support stocks traded on those markets.