DERIVSOURCE: Options Trading Soars in Q1 Amid Market Volatility
Global exchange‑traded derivatives hit a record in Q1 2024, with overall volume up 38.8% and options soaring 39.7%, according to the Futures Industry Association. Options open interest rose 20.2% year‑on‑year to 1.25 bn contracts, outpacing futures. The data shows institutional hedgers shifting toward options for cost‑effective risk protection amid geopolitical uncertainty. Short‑dated and weekly expiries are expanding, especially in U.S. equity and interest‑rate markets, to target event‑driven volatility.
DERIVSOURCE: CFTC to Streamline OTC Derivative Rules
The CFTC, led by Chairman Michael Selig, announced a plan to streamline regulations for the $846 trillion OTC derivatives market. The agency will trim reporting obligations, consider sunset provisions for legacy 2013 swap rules, and clarify obligations for entities clearing swaps....