Why exchange-traded futures? What's wrong with the currency forward market that has been existing in India for a long time?
The exchange-traded futures, as compared to OTC forwards, serve the same economic purpose, yet differ in fundamental ways. Exchange-traded contracts are standardised. In an exchange-traded scenario where the market lot is fixed at a much lesser size than the OTC market, equitable opportunity is provided to all classes of investors whether large or small to participate in the futures market. The other advantages of an Exchange traded market would be greater transparency, efficiency and accessibility. The counterparty risk (credit risk) in a futures contract is eliminated by the presence of a clearing house/ corporation, which by assuming counterparty guarantee, eliminates default risk. Thus, introduction of exchange-traded futures help in overall development of the forex market in the country
The exchange-traded futures, as compared to OTC forwards, serve the same economic purpose, yet differ in fundamental ways. Exchange-traded contracts are standardised. In an exchange-traded scenario where the market lot is fixed at a much lesser size than the OTC market, equitable opportunity is provided to all classes of investors whether large or small to participate in the futures market. The other advantages of an Exchange traded market would be greater transparency, efficiency and accessibility. The counterparty risk (credit risk) in a futures contract is eliminated by the presence of a clearing house/ corporation, which by assuming counterparty guarantee, eliminates default risk. Thus, introduction of exchange-traded futures help in overall development of the forex market in the country
