A futures exchange is a highly complex organization that directly impacts the world’s markets and helps foster global commerce. As you might expect, its activities are watched very closely. Extensive processes, monitoring, standardization, rules and regulations work in concert to protect everyone both inside and outside the exchange. These measures ensure that these futures exchanges that exist to create stable markets continue to do just that.
This section explores the two key mechanisms that keep futures markets under watch and running smoothly for everyone.
Clearing houses: protecting trading partners
Clearing houses act as a neutral counterparty for every single trade that crosses a futures exchange, assuming responsibility for ensuring buyer and seller performance on each contract.
Market regulation: protecting market integrity
Futures exchanges are closely monitored and regulated by governmental agencies, as well as by regulatory group functions within each exchange.
