Not to argue with you, but I don't see the problem any different from trying to synchronize two commits in a database. The same technique is not limited to Spanner or algorithmic trading, but other fields as well. It's not so much different from DHT or other algorithms, which have applications in multiple domains.
In a sane world wiping liquids off of smooth, hard surfaces would be the same domain whether the material under whatever the wiper is attached to is in the liquid, solid or gaseous phase.
Not to argue with you, but I don't see the problem any different from trying to synchronize two commits in a database. The same technique is not limited to Spanner or algorithmic trading, but other fields as well. It's not so much different from DHT or other algorithms, which have applications in multiple domains.