Listed or OTC: Fit Beats Familiarity
Compare listed and OTC derivatives using standardization, liquidity, transparency, customization, and basis risk.
Principle: Do not choose the venue before comparing the mismatch. Listed Exchange-traded derivatives are standardized. That helps liquidity, transparency, offsetting, and governance. The cost is that the contract may not perfectly match your exposure. OTC OTC derivatives can be tailored. That can reduce basis risk when dates, amounts, reference rates, or locations are unusual. The cost is greater documentation, valuation, liquidity, and counterparty complexity. Decision Lens The venue question is really a fit question. How much mismatch can the business tolerate, and how much operational complexity is justified to reduce it?
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