Skip to main content

How Do Clearing Houses Mitigate Systemic Risk in Standardized Derivatives Trading?

Clearing houses, or Central Clearing Counterparties (CCPs), mitigate systemic risk by becoming the buyer to every seller and the seller to every buyer. This novation process centralizes counterparty risk.

They enforce strict margin requirements, manage default funds, and standardize contracts, ensuring that the failure of one trading firm does not cascade into a widespread market collapse. This central guarantee provides stability to the derivatives market.

How Did the Lack of Central Clearing for CDS Contribute to the 2008 Financial Crisis?
In Derivatives, How Does the Use of a Central Clearing Counterparty (CCP) Mitigate Counterparty Risk Similar to How the Blockchain Prevents Double-Spending?
How Are Standardized Derivatives like Exchange-Traded Options Designed for CLOB Compatibility?
What Is ‘Novation’ and How Does It Relate to the Function of a CCP?