Exchanges often use (relatively) esoteric hardware + real-time OSes, such as the Tandem NonStop series. Experience with such a platform + domain knowledge about the finance industry is a rare combination, so I find it plausible that a couple of core expert programmers on the stock exchange's system get compensated quite well. High six figures + 80% bonus == seven figure, I guess?

> I seriously doubt any exchange is regularly paying developers multi-million dollar bonuses.

I'd agree with that. Having said that, I doubt many investment banks are regularly paying developers multi-million dollar bonuses.

The people who get those are called quants or traders, even if they have programming skills, just my experience.

> Which exchange did you work for? I'd rather not say, if you want to know, contact me via email. Not sure how you got my linked in info as it's not attached to my profile.