Derivatives: The financial weapon of mass destruction you didn't see coming!

Gaurav Taparia
/ Categories: Knowledge, General
Derivatives: The financial weapon of mass destruction you didn't see coming!

Priced at a colossal USD 1.5 quadrillion, exceeding 10 times the world's GDP

Immersed in trillions of dollars, the global financial system conceals a mysterious force – the derivatives market. Priced at a colossal USD 1.5 quadrillion, exceeding 10 times the world's GDP, it casts a formidable shadow over the USD 96 trillion global economy. The looming question: Does this immense scale signify robustness or portend an impending calamity?

Concentration of Power: A Ticking Time Bomb?

Within this financial behemoth lies a concerning truth – 85 per cent of all derivatives are tightly held by a mere 10 financial giants, including JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Citi, and Bank of America. This concentration of power poses a serious risk, creating a vulnerable point where a stumble by one institution could trigger a global economic freefall.

The Resurgence of CDS: Ghosts from the Past Return

Credit Default Swaps (CDS), infamous for their role in the 2008 financial crisis, have staged a comeback, with their usage soaring by 20 per cent since the crisis. This resurgence raises alarms about their potential to exacerbate market volatility and hasten another financial downturn.

A Perfect Storm Brewing: Impending Consequences of a Derivatives Collapse

The amalgamation of the market's colossal size, power concentration, and the return of CDS paints a disquieting scenario. A major economic shock, be it a recession or a significant bank default, could set off a domino effect within the intricate derivative network, leading to a cataclysmic global economic meltdown.

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The Nightmare Unleashed: A Hypothetical Scenario

Envision a major financial institution deeply entangled in derivatives facing financial turmoil. As losses reverberate through the network, interconnected contracts amplify the impact. Other institutions succumb, triggering market panic, a global recession, and widespread unemployment – a nightmare with devastating consequences.

The derivatives market, a dual-faceted weapon, presents avenues for growth and colossal risks alike. Overlooking the potential for catastrophe would be a perilous oversight.

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