ISDA has published the first in a series of legal guidelines for smart derivatives contracts, intended to explain the core principles of ISDA documentation and to raise awareness of important legal terms that should be maintained when a technology solution is applied to derivatives trading.
The first introductory paper outlines some potential smart derivatives contract models, sets out principles for the development of smart derivatives contracts, and identifies contractual and documentation issues that may be relevant in the development and implementation of new technology platforms, products and solutions for use within the derivatives industry.
Further papers will follow that will provide more detailed analysis on specific ISDA documents, starting with the ISDA Master Agreement.
These guidelines are not intended to specify or recommend any particular approach, or address any particular technological application or project. Rather, they are intended to provide high-level guidance on the legal documentation and framework that currently governs derivatives trading, and to point out certain issues that may need to be considered by technology developers when introducing technology into that framework.
Click on the PDF below to read the introductory paper.
Documents (1) for Legal Guidelines for Smart Derivatives Contracts: Introduction
Latest
S&P Global Selected as DC Administrator
ISDA and the Credit Derivatives Governance Committee have announced that S&P Global Market Intelligence has been selected as the administrator for the Credit Derivatives Determinations Committees (DCs). The announcement follows an invitation to tender in November 2025. The DC administrator...
Supporting ISDA SIMM Adoption in Australia
Derivatives have become a critical tool for Australia’s massive superannuation sector, as funds look to manage the risks associated with their expanding offshore investments. The use of derivatives brings real risk management benefits, but it also means funds need to...
ISDA, GDF Respond to the Central Bank of Ireland on DLT and Tokenization
On June 3, ISDA and Global Digital Finance responded to the Central Bank of Ireland’s discussion paper on distributed ledger technology (DLT) and tokenization in financial services. The response focuses on the potential role of DLT and tokenization within wholesale...
Response to Consultation on Dividend Stripping
On May 28, ISDA and the Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME) responded to the Dutch Ministry of Finance’s consultation on additional anti-dividend stripping measures, urging that the proposed rules should target only abusive arrangements and not ordinary, commercially...