Futures Market

Definition ∞ A futures market is a trading venue where participants buy and sell contracts for the delivery of an asset at a specified future date and price. These markets allow for hedging against price fluctuations or speculating on future price movements. They play a crucial role in price discovery and risk management for various commodities and financial instruments.
Context ∞ In the context of digital assets, futures markets, particularly for Bitcoin and Ethereum, are actively monitored for insights into market expectations regarding future price trends. Discussions often focus on the premium or discount at which these futures trade relative to the spot price, which can signal bullish or bearish sentiment. The regulatory oversight and operational integrity of these crypto futures platforms are also significant areas of ongoing examination.