New York Stock Exchange operator NYSE Euronext is considering a deal with Deutsche Boerse AG in part because of competitive pressures from other trading venues, a NYSE Euronext official said on Thursday.

"There's a competitive element to this .... being able to compete with the CME ... is an issue in the merger," said Joe Mecane, chief administrative officer of NYSE Euronext's U.S. markets, referring to the CME Group Inc, the world's largest futures exchange operator.

Other trading venues, such BATS and Chi-X, are also sources of competitive pressure, he said. "It becomes of greater importance to evolve along with that."