The London Stock Exchange could be forced to restructure the terms of its deal to acquire LCH.Clearnet after it emerged this morning that new regulation will force the international clearer to dramatically increase its capital base.

In a statement released this morning, LCH.Clearnet - which is in the final stages of being acquired by the LSE - said that new rules, outlined under the European Market Infrastructure Regulation, would require it to raise its regulatory capital by between €300-€375m.