What Is the Primary Risk Associated with Forward Contracts?
The primary risk is Counterparty Risk, which is the risk that the other party to the contract will default on their obligation. Since Forward Contracts are private agreements traded Over-The-Counter (OTC), there is no clearing house to guarantee the transaction.
If the counterparty goes bankrupt or refuses to honor the contract, the non-defaulting party may suffer a loss.
Glossar
Forward Contracts
Structure ⎊ Forward contracts, within cryptocurrency and derivatives markets, establish a customized agreement for the future exchange of an asset at a predetermined price and date, differing from standardized futures contracts through their bespoke nature.
Private Agreements
Arrangement ⎊ Private agreements refer to contracts or understandings made directly between two or more parties, often without the oversight of a public exchange or centralized clearinghouse.