What is a Contract for Difference (CFD)?

A contract for difference (CFD) is a financial instrument that allows traders to speculate on the price movement of an underlying asset, such as a cryptocurrency, without actually owning the asset itself. In the context of cryptocurrency trading, CFDs are a popular way for traders to profit from the volatility of cryptocurrencies without the need to buy or sell the underlying digital asset.

When trading cryptocurrency CFDs, the trader enters into a contract with a broker, agreeing to exchange the difference in the price of the underlying cryptocurrency between the time the contract is opened and closed. The trader does not take ownership of the actual cryptocurrency, but instead is trading on the price movement of the cryptocurrency.

One of the main advantages of trading cryptocurrency CFDs is that traders can go long or short on the underlying cryptocurrency. This means that they can profit from both upward and downward price movements. Additionally, CFDs typically require less capital than traditional cryptocurrency trading, as traders do not need to buy the underlying asset outright.

Another advantage of trading cryptocurrency CFDs is that they can be traded on margin, which means that traders can control a larger position than they would be able to with their own capital. This can potentially lead to higher profits, but also comes with greater risk as losses can exceed the initial investment.

It's important to note that trading cryptocurrency CFDs can also come with risks, such as counterparty risk, which is the risk that the broker may not be able to fulfill their obligations. Additionally, CFDs can be subject to overnight financing charges and other fees, which can impact the overall profitability of the trade.

Simplified Example

A Contract for Difference (CFD) is an agreement between two parties to exchange the difference between the opening price and closing price of a cryptocurrency. It is similar to betting on the outcome of a race. If you think the price of a cryptocurrency will rise, you would purchase a CFD, which you can later sell when the price has in fact gone up. If the price goes down, you take the losses. It is a way to speculate on the price of a cryptocurrency without actually owning it.

Who Invented the Contract for Difference (CFD)?

Originating in Britain in 1974 with the intention of leveraging gold, contemporary Contract for Differences (CFDs) gained widespread traction from the early 1990s onward. Initially conceived as a form of equity swap traded on margin, the inception of CFDs is commonly attributed to Brian Keelan and Jon Wood of UBS Warburg during their involvement in the Trafalgar House deal in the early 1990s. This innovative financial instrument swiftly evolved, allowing traders to speculate on various assets without actual ownership, reshaping the landscape of leveraged trading within financial markets.

Examples

Stock CFDs: With stock CFDs, traders can speculate on the price movements of individual stocks without actually owning the underlying stocks. Traders can take long or short positions on the stock and profit from the difference between the opening and closing prices.

Index CFDs: Index CFDs allow traders to speculate on the performance of an entire stock market index, such as the S&P 500 or the FTSE 100, without having to buy individual stocks. Traders can take long or short positions on the index and profit from the difference between the opening and closing prices.

Commodity CFDs: Commodity CFDs allow traders to speculate on the price movements of commodities such as gold, oil, and wheat, without having to own the underlying commodities. Traders can take long or short positions on the commodity and profit from the difference between the opening and closing prices.

Related terms

• Perpetual Contracts: Perpetual contracts, also known as perpetual swaps, are a type of derivative financial instrument that are similar to futures contracts but do not have a predetermined expiration date.

• Hedge Contract: A hedge contract is a financial instrument used by investors to reduce their exposure to market risk.