Futures Contracts

Definition ∞ ‘Futures Contracts’ are financial agreements obligating parties to buy or sell an asset at a predetermined price on a specified future date. These instruments are commonly used for hedging against price volatility or for speculative purposes. In the cryptocurrency market, futures contracts allow traders to speculate on the future price movements of digital assets without directly owning the underlying cryptocurrency. They are traded on specialized exchanges and play a significant role in price discovery and risk management.
Context ∞ The current discussion surrounding ‘Futures Contracts’ in the crypto market often focuses on regulatory developments, the impact of these contracts on spot market volatility, and the introduction of new contract types. Debates frequently emerge regarding leverage limits, settlement mechanisms, and the potential for market manipulation. Future trends are likely to involve greater integration with traditional financial markets and the development of more complex derivative products based on digital assets.