Regulation of Derivative Financial Instruments

Book excerpt: As a result of the Dodd-Frank Act Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, derivatives regulation has become a hot topic on Wall Street and is, therefore, of much interest to law firms with financial institutions as clients. An increasing number of classes on this subject are being taught at law schools around the country, but, to date, there has been no casebook on the subject. This casebook explores the regulation of swaps, futures and options by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission. It examines the regulatory history of derivative instruments and traces the development of modern market structures while addressing the role of the exchanges, the clearinghouses, and market participants, such as futures commission merchants, swap dealers, and hedge funds that act as commodity pool operators. Structured in a traditional format, this casebook uses cases to teach students important points of law and industry practices needed to understand the role played by derivative instruments in modern finance. The cases are accompanied by commentary from the authors expanding on the points raised in the cases.